Sandoval County concurs on Christopher Bagley as fire chief; Bagley sworn in

On June 25, 2025, the Sandoval County Board of County Commissioners voted to concur with the selection committee's recommendation of Christopher Bagley as Sandoval County fire chief and held an oath-of-office ceremony for Bagley.

County staff presented the concurrence motion to the commission as the required step for hiring the county fire chief. The commission moved and seconded the concurrence motion and recorded a unanimous roll-call vote approving the selection.

A county official administered the oath of office. In remarks before the swearing-in, the official described the oath as a "solemn pledge" and praised Bagley's leadership record. The administrator said he had "known Chief Bagley for about 20 years" and expressed confidence Bagley "will carry this legacy forward." Bagley then took the oath and later told commissioners, "I appreciate this amazing opportunity. I'd like to thank the County Manager, Johnson, Deputy County Manager, all of you. I never would have thought in a million years that I would ever have this position." He said he had been "perfectly happy to retire a deputy chief of EMS" but accepted the chief's role to preserve continuity and leadership from within.

Commissioners, county leadership, Bagley's family and a number of area fire chiefs attended the ceremony. After the oath, county officials posed for photographs and some commissioners praised the decision to promote from within. The commission's concurrence completes the board's hiring role for the county fire chief and allows Bagley to assume the duties of the office.