Kern County Liable for Volunteer FD's Claims, 5th DCA Rules

Kern County is the statutory employer of a volunteer firefighter for the Sand Canyon Volunteer Fire Department, according to an unpublished ruling from California's 5th District Court of Appeal. Case: County of Kern v. WCAB (Petersen), No. F057718, 10/3/11, unpublished.Facts: Eric Petersen was the deputy fire chief of the Sand Canyon Volunteer Fire Department (SCVFD), which consists of 32 unpaid firefighters who combat fires in the Sand Canyon area of Kern County. Sand Canyon is 40 miles southeast of Kern, and 32 miles north of Tehachapi. The Kern County Fire Department typically needs abo...