County report: Kern sees 23% increase in 911 calls since 2019

Calls to 911 increased by 23% between 2019 and 2023, according to a report from Kern County Public Health Services.

The increase was noted in the 2023 countywide ground ambulance service performance report submitted to the Kern County Board of Supervisors for approval at Tuesday's meetings.

The report also found ambulance crews spent 24,694 hours in 2023 — more than 1,028 days, or 2.8 years — caring for patients within hospitals while they waited for the hospitals to assume responsibility for the patient, instead of being in the field available to respond to 911 calls.