BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Bakersfield Police Department has received a $32,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to help improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. The grant period is from now until September 30th of next year.

Officials said the grant funding will be used to conduct bicycle training classes and educational workshops, and educate the public on the importance of safety equipment like reflective armbands, leg bands, headlights, taillights, reflectors, and helmets.

The funding will also help with national education campaign events and programs like National Walk to School Day, Bicycle Safety Month, Pedestrian Safety Month, Safe Routes to Schools and Vision Zero.

And the Kern County Fire Department has also been awarded a grant from the Office of Traffic Safety for the purchase of new extrication equipment that will be used to rescue crash victims.

The grant is a little more than $40,000. Known as the "Jaws of Life," first responders use these rescue tools to break apart a wrecked vehicle with the victims trapped inside.

Kern County fire officials said the new "eDraulic" tools are lighter and easier to maneuver, allowing them to remove a trapped person more quickly.