Bernalillo County marked the commencement of construction for Bernalillo County Fire Station No. 66 on Sept. 6, the first to be built in over 25 years. This fire station is located at the southwest corner of Atrisco Vista Boulevard and Central Avenue SW and will cater to the expanding West Side area, including the vicinity of the Metropolitan Detention Center, according to a press release.

Fire Station No. 66 is a facility with the aim to significantly bolster public safety in the growing West Side area, including the vicinity of the Metropolitan Detention Center. With a total project cost estimated at around $11.5 million, this endeavor is funded through a combination of sources, including Bernalillo County general funds, public safety bonds and grants from the State of New Mexico.

Construction is underway and is expected to be completed by December 2024. Upon completion, Fire Station No. 66 will stand as the largest in the Bernalillo County Fire Rescue portfolio, spanning approximately 11,475 square feet. It will feature four spacious apparatus bays, 11 bunks for firefighters, office areas, state-of-the-art training facilities and more. Notably, this expansion will also introduce 21 new positions to Bernalillo County Fire Rescue, enhancing its capacity to respond effectively to emergencies and ensuring the safety and well-being of the community, according to the release.

“This new district will help us serve the community even more by cutting response times to the Metropolitan Detention Center from 25 minutes to about seven and allow us to better serve the nearby community,” Bernalillo County Fire Chief Greg Perez said.