BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- The Kern County Fire Department has deployed a massive response to help fight the deadly wildfires in Southern California, but remains ready to answer for local calls, the department chief said. Kern County Fire Chief Aaron Duncan said on Tuesday, the department has sent approximately a third of its personnel to help fight the historic wildfires -- the Palisades and Eaton fires. One hundred seventy firefighters are in Los Angeles County, along with 23 "front line" engines, he said. Duncan told Kern County Supervisors on Tuesday that the department did not think twice of sending help in light of previous devastating wildfires that burned in the Kern County mountains in previous years. "We know that we can't handle that fight by ourselves. We have to call our neighbors and see if they can come help us, and we didn't waste any time," he said. "We didn't wait for orders. We said 'What do you need? We'll send it and figure out the paperwork later.'" Duncan also reassured Kern County residents that they are still protected. "We are fully staffed. We are not short any positions right now," he said. "Firefighters are answering the call and coming back to work."