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Commission approves MOU to provide county fire and EMS to Village of Hatch amid volunteer shortfall
Summary
Facing a decline in volunteer firefighters, the commission authorized the county manager to negotiate and sign a memorandum of understanding to provide fire and emergency medical services to the Village of Hatch; staff said career staffing will better centralize coverage and reduce long response times in northern areas.
Dona Ana County commissioners on Sept. 9 approved a resolution authorizing the county manager to negotiate and sign a memorandum of understanding with the Village of Hatch for fire and emergency medical services.
Why it matters: Interim County Fire Chief Andy Bone told the commission the county has seen a marked decline in volunteerism and has responded by staffing the Rincon station with career personnel. He said that station regularly responds to calls in nearby villages, and that response times to some areas — for example, an average of about 31 minutes to Garfield — remain long. The MOU would allow the county to more centrally locate career staff and formalize service delivery to Hatch.
Commission action and vote: Commissioners moved and approved the resolution to allow the county manager to negotiate the agreement; votes were recorded in favor by the full commission. County staff said the resolution authorizes negotiation and signature of the MOU and that operational details will be negotiated with the Village of Hatch.
Ending: County officials said the MOU is a response to volunteer‑staffing declines and is intended to establish reliable, centrally managed career fire and EMS coverage for Hatch and surrounding northern areas. The matter will proceed to county manager and village staff for final negotiation and execution.
