Albuquerque Fire Rescue will now be improving its west side coverage and response. The arrival of a new fire station, two new fire engines, and new battalion chief are all new milestones to help increase safety for west side families. Continued growth and demand has also required that Albuquerque Fire Rescue expand its coverage area.
Rescue advises that two new fire engines are being prepped for service. Engine 22, which will be housed at Station 22, will replace an 11-year-old truck with over 150,000 miles on it. Station 22’s response area covers the far Northwest Mesa, Double Eagle 11 Airport, and many neighborhoods, including Ventana Ranch and Paradise Hills. Engine 23 will be housed at AFR’s newest station, which is part of the Southwest Safety Center located at 9631 Amole Mesa SW. Station 23 has a primary response area of almost 5 square miles.
The addition of Fire Station 23 also brings with it the need for operational supervision and the creation of Battalion 5. Adding Battalion 5 also allows AFR to realign districts to increase command in other parts of Albuquerque, including the foothills, NE Albuquerque, and the Four Hills area. It is one of the biggest operational changes that AFR has had in almost 30 years. “As Albuquerqueโs West Side continues to grow with more families, schools and business, we know there is a major need for investments in firefighters, equipment and facilities,” said Mayor Tim Keller.
