Commissioners approve consolidation of northern volunteer fire districts into Taos County Fire District 2

The Taos County Board of County Commissioners on April 15 approved Resolution 2025‑21 to consolidate two northern volunteer fire districts into a single district, to be named Taos County Fire District 2. County fire leadership told the commission the consolidation aims to combine rosters, improve simultaneous paging and response, and increase eligibility for state funding tied to ISO ratings.

Deputy Chief Hampton told commissioners that the two departments had discussed the merger and that members of both departments expressed support. He said Latir holds an ISO class 4 rating and Sero/Cerro had an ISO class 7; consolidating rosters would allow both stations to receive ISO class 4 credit and increase annual state fire funding for operations and apparatus.

The nut graf: merging small volunteer rosters into a larger district is intended to reduce response delays, increase initial turnout credit for structure fires, and potentially lower insurance costs in covered areas where ISO credits apply. County fire staff emphasized the operational benefits of a single dispatch and combined training, and commissioners voiced support.

Commissioner comments focused on operational coordination and training culture; Hampton said paging will be streamlined so both stations are notified at the same time and that combined training should raise overall readiness. The resolution was moved by Vice Chair Romero and seconded by Commissioner Vigil. The clerk recorded an affirmative roll call and the resolution passed.