Bernalillo County Fire & Rescue marks new $1.9 million ladder truck rollout

Bernalillo County Fire & Rescue put a new $1.9 million ladder truck into frontline service with a ceremonial push-in at Fire Station 36, giving firefighters a Pierce aerial apparatus designed to move through narrow streets and reach more than 100 feet vertically on multistory calls.

The truck, identified as Truck 36, was formally pushed into the North Valley station on Jan. 6-7, 2026, in a tradition that dates to the 1800s, when firefighters manually pushed horse-drawn wagons back into the house after calls. Dozens of current and retired BCFR personnel took part, and State Rep. Stefani Lord attended the ceremony in Tijeras as county officials marked the rollout as both a service upgrade and a nod to fire-service history.

For taxpayers, the price tag was paired with a mix of capital outlay money, county funds and public safety tax dollars. County officials said the purchase was aimed at strengthening coverage across Bernalillo County, including tighter neighborhoods and areas where wildfire response, crashes and medical calls can demand faster access and more flexible equipment.

Chief Zach Lardy said the new truck improves BCFR’s operational capabilities and service to the community. Its shorter wheelbase is meant to help crews maneuver on narrow streets, while wireless headset communications, enhanced lighting, state-of-the-art pumps and a Class A foam system give firefighters more tools once they arrive. BCFR said the ladder can extend more than 100 feet, making it better suited for multi-story incidents and complex rescue scenes.

The rollout also fit into BCFR’s broader push to preserve its identity while modernizing its fleet. County officials have recently highlighted the department’s legacy through a documentary series, and William Harris said the push-in ceremony honors a tradition that links today’s crews with firefighters who once relied on hand-pushed, horse-drawn apparatus. For residents in Tijeras and the East Mountains, the practical test will come on the next wildfire, structure fire, crash or medical emergency, when the difference between an older setup and Truck 36 may be measured in seconds, reach and access.