Eddy County Fire Services could take over management and operations of the Loving Volunteer Fire Department.
The process could take up to two years, according to Eddy County Fire Services coordinator Joshua Mack.
"They have to clear up all their financials. We have to go through the State Fire Marshal's office. We'd have to decide if we're going to take it on as a separate fire district, or if we're going to consolidate it," he said.
"Both the county and the village are going to have to come to an agreement. We're going to have a contract in place for the services and then all of the assets will have to be transferred over. There's a lot of work that needs to be done."
Loving’s department was placed on probation in 2018 by the New Mexico State Fire Marshal’s office.
Mack was approached more than a year ago by the Loving Village Council on possible consolidation.
Mack said Loving’s department was not in compliance with State of New Mexico regulations, and said village officials received a letter last December noting fire reports weren't sent to a nationwide data base.
"It's required for your state fire funds," he said.
Mack said the state kept a close eye on Loving's fire department.
“They were only allowed to make necessary purchases for day-to-day operations. I followed up with the State Fire Marshal’s office just to see what the financial standing was. They reconfirmed that they still weren’t compliant, and an extension would be given. We have until June to get them off probation,” Mack said.
He said the village had 12 volunteers at one time and Eddy County Fire Services has received applications from four potential firefighters.
"We are providing automatic aid," Mack said. "We send units from Otis and Malaga to all the fires or car wrecks and EMS (Emergency Medical Services) calls. When I have people available, they will respond."
"On an occasional basis, we'll get somebody (from Loving) to respond."
Mack said the Loving department covers the whole village and parts of Eddy County outside village limits.
Mack said county fire services is working with Loving Mayor Pete Estrada and Village Clerk Manuel Garza to make sure the county has access to the fire department’s records.
“One to two years would be my guestimation [sic] to get everything switched over to the county,” he said.
“In the meantime, they have to have a designated fire chief, they have no one to sign their documentation for the state fire marshal’s office or to give the mayor or Village Council updates on what’s happening.”
Tuesday, Eddy County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously for Mack to serve as Loving’s fire chief.
Mack would also continue as county fire services director.
Mack said the county wouldn’t feel any financial impact in the short term of his new duties.
"The Village of Loving is seeking assistance, so we're just trying to help them get their fire department under control. We may get things lined out, or they may decide to stay their own entity and that was all they needed from the county," he said.
"They may determine they can't do it the way they've always done it. They may need some help, and that's why we would step in.
"Once we get a contract all negotiated out, they may just need certain services from us, or they may need us to do the whole department."
Estrada said the village needed outside help after it was clear the department's ability to respond to various fire and emergency services was limited.
“In the last few months we’ve only had one response and residents are complaining. I’ve had to turn to the county and get some help. I just want somebody to be able to handle the fire department for right now until we come to an agreement.”
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