Albuquerque and Bernalillo CountyNew Mexico Fire Chiefs Work on Improving Emergency Response

In an emergency, no one cares whether it's city or county firefighters who show up to help.

Soon, dispatchers won't have to either. At least, that's the goal.

The chiefs of the Albuquerque and Bernalillo County fire departments say they hope to test a pilot program in July aimed at ensuring the closest unit responds to calls - regardless of jurisdictional lines.

It's not as easy as it sounds, given that the two governments operate different computeraided dispatch systems. The checkerboard-like shape of city limits in the North Valley, South Valley and West Mesa is also a challenge, officials say.

County Fire Chief John Garcia said he and his city counterparts have mapped out a "response zone" for each city and county fire station, without regard for whether the zone crosses city limits. They hope to test out the idea in the North Valley, starting July 9, he said.

City Councilor Ken Sanchez said the concept has been under discussion for 15 years. "It's a huge milestone," he said.

The July 9 target date was revealed Thursday when Garcia and city Fire Chief James Breen updated city councilors and county commissioners on the progress toward ensuring the closest units respond to emergencies.

County Commissioner Maggie Hart Stebbins said the effort's importance was demonstrated by a recent incident in the North Valley. Someone had a heart attack just two blocks from a county fire station, but a city team stationed farther away responded because the incident happened inside city limits.

Breen said a mutual-aid agreement already in place is intended to get the closest unit there, but that "human error" was responsible for the mistake.

In any case, Garcia said the new "response zone" system should make it easier to get the closest emergency team there. Each station's zone was based on trying to ensure a four- to five-minute response time, regardless of jurisdictional lines, he said.

But there will still be "gray areas" regarding which station responds, he said.

"This will solve 90 percent of our issues, not all of them," Garcia told councilors and commissioners.

Breen said a consolidated dispatch center for both agencies is probably the best long-term solution. In the meantime, personnel in both governments will have to be trained on new procedures before the July pilot program.

County Commissioner Wayne Johnson said it's important that, when new computer equipment is purchased, the agencies ensure it allows the dispatch systems to operate well together.

Commissioner Michelle Lujan Grisham said the integration should have happened earlier.

"Honestly, I'm disappointed," she said after hearing the July 9 target.