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Sandoval County approves pact to bolster fire, EMS staffing in northern county
Summary
Commissioners approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Hickory Apache Nation to fund additional firefighters and expand 24-hour staffing; county and fire leadership described recruitment, testing and an academy scheduled to start Jan. 20.
Sandoval County commissioners approved an intergovernmental agreement intended to increase fire and emergency-medical services staffing in the county’s northern area and to provide coverage for the Hickory Apache Nation and surrounding communities.
County staff said the IGA makes funding available to hire up to 15 additional firefighters; three of those positions were contingent on funding from the nation and have now been secured through the agreement. "That allows us, instead of having a three‑person 24‑hour station, to end up with a four‑person 24‑hour station," county staff said, explaining that increased staffing reduces the likelihood of the county being out of service while handling transports.
Chief Bagley described the size of the candidate pool and the hiring timeline: the department has seen more applicants than in past academy cycles, with more than 70 candidates participating in physical agility and written testing. "Starting tomorrow...we will be doing oral interviews with up to 40 candidates," Bagley said, adding the department expects an academy to begin January 20 so firefighters will be prepared for a July 1 go‑live date.
Commissioners asked about how many trainees the department plans to put through the academy and whether there will be over‑hires to account for attrition; Bagley said the plan is to staff 14 positions with a couple of over‑hires and to hold another hiring class as needed. The motion to approve the IGA passed after discussion; commissioners thanked county staff and tribal partners for their work on the agreement.
The agreement authorizes the county manager to approve subsequent amendments as needed and contemplates the operational details and reporting required to manage cross‑jurisdictional responses.
