Albuquerque Fire Rescue (AFR) is moving into a new facility to repair and maintain its fleet of over 200 vehicles.
The 15,000-square-foot facility sits on 2.5 acres and has six drive-through maintenance bays that will provide space for up to 12 apparatus at a time – a big improvement over the previous facility, which only had two functional bays, the department announced this week. The facility is outfitted with state-of-the-art lifts that can accommodate the wide variety of rescues, fire engines, ladder trucks, and other emergency vehicles AFR has in its fleet.
The new fleet facility is strategically situated near AFR’s Training Academy and the Fire Administration Headquarters on the west side of Albuquerque. The proximity of the new fleet facility to the Training Academy will help minimize the time fire apparatus are out-of-service for scheduled maintenance and repairs.
“Several times throughout the year, firefighters are required to complete training at the Fire Academy,” the department explained in a press release. “Now, firefighters will drop off apparatus on the way to the Academy and pick it up at the end of the day. Mechanics complete the routine repairs while the firefighters complete their scheduled training.”
In 2018, AFR’s Fleet Maintenance had three mechanics and one supervisor in 2018; however, staffing is now expanded to 12 employees: “With the additional staff and new facility, AFR will improve the safety of their vehicles, enhance the preventive maintenance process, decrease repair costs, all while extending the life of these specialized apparatus,” the department stated.
AFR will continue to utilize the old fleet facility by combining both the Department’s Pharmacy and Logistics Divisions into one building.
Fire Chief Paul Dow commented on the success of the new facility: “Deputy Chief Adam Eakes and Battalion Chief Nathaniel Meisner were instrumental in the purchase of the new fleet facility and the improvements to the fleet management program. Through their leadership and innovative ideas, we have enhanced our ability to maintain the fire apparatus this community has provided to us.”