Bernalillo County Fire and Rescue - responding to the needs and safety of the community
Mission Statement:
To protect lives and property through proactive education, prevention and response.
Services (What We Do):
Operations: To provide fire protection and emergency medial services, including firefighting (i.e. structural, wildland, etc.); responding to confined space emergencies, hazardous materials incidents and medical emergencies.
Emergency Medical Services: To preserve and protect lives in Bernalillo County through emergency medical services responses. Provides emergency medical triage and treatment of the sick and injured, ongoing quality assurance, and maintains levels of qualifications to all members that exceed national standards to ensure that our customers receive the highest level of emergency medical care.
Fire Restrictions in Place for Unincorporated Bernalillo County
On Tuesday, May 14, 2013, the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a resolution banning and restricting smoking, campfires and open burning in the unincorporated areas of the county, outside the Albuquerque city limits.
“As the potential for large wildland fires grows across Bernalillo County, we are imposing these restrictions to reduce the likelihood of a human-caused wildland fire,” says Fire Marshal Chris Gober. “We take preventing a wildland fire seriously and will have a zero tolerance for those who violate the burning restrictions.”
The burning restrictions prohibit the following:
Above Ground Detonation/Agricultural Burning/Bon Fires
Burning of Explosives/Campfires/Ceremonial Fires
Controlled Burning/Cooking Fires/Disease Control
Heating Fires/Hot Torch Burning/Ignition of Rocket Motors
Open Burning/Open Flames/Timber and Forest Management
Research and Development/Slash Piles/Smoking/Weed Burning
Charcoal broilers, barbecue grills, wood and coal burning stoves used outside of private dwellings are classified as campfires and are prohibited. Propane and white gas grills are allowed.
Penalties can include fines up to $300 and/or up to 90 days in jail.
“We also ask that residents prepare their property for a wildland fire by creating defensible space around their homes and making sure that their roof gutters are cleaned of any dried leaves, pine needles, twigs, and other debris,” says Gober. “Move the firewood that you may have stacked on your porch this past winter to at least 20 feet away from your home.”
For more tips on preparing your home for wildland fires, please visit the following:
Enacting Legislation:
Bernalillo County Code Chapter 34 Fire Prevention and Protection;
State law references: General Authority Relative to Fire Prevention and Protection, NMSA 37-1, 3-18-11; State Fire Marshal, NMSA 1978 § 59A-52-1 et seq; Local Fire Prevention Regulations, NMSA 1978 § 59A-52-18; Fireworks, NMSA 1978 § 60-2C-1 et seq. NMSA 1978, Chapter 27 Part 4 Emergency Medical Fund Act, NMSA 1978 § 24-10A-6 compilation.
Bernalillo County Firefighters “Fill the Boot” to Raise Over $30,000
for Muscular Dystrophy Association
This year’s “Fill the Boot” campaign was a huge success as Bernalillo County firefighters raised $30,414.13 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
“Our thanks go out to all the citizens of Bernalillo County who supported our firefighters in this great effort,” says Deputy Fire Chief Frank Barka. “We surpassed last year’s total by $5,200 and we hope we can raise even more next year.”
The Fill the Boot campaign raises funds to provide research and services for the New Mexico chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, which addresses a wide variety of muscle diseases.