Albuquerque Journal (New Mexico)
Copyright 2006 Albuquerque Journal
What was once a firefighter turf battle in southern Santa Fe County has evolved into a solid working partnership with a simple goal: Saving lives and property.
Edgewood and Stanley volunteer firefighters have been on the same page for more than a decade, working together to keep area residents safe. So Edgewood’s firefighters and EMTs threw a surprise party Monday for their Stanley counterparts.
More than two dozen Edgewood personnel served green chile cheeseburgers. Then Edgewood Chief Dennis Parks gave the Stanley volunteers a plaque of appreciation for their hard work and dedication. He also presented plaques to Stanley Chief Herman Sena, Jaime and June Morris and Kurt Lermuscaux for going above and beyond what was asked of them as volunteers.
When Sena and Parks started in the Santa Fe County Fire Department about 15 years ago, Parks said there existed a lot of “turfing,” or territorial behavior between the two departments.
Through shared training and cooperation on calls, the two groups have overcome their differences and developed a solid working relationship, Parks said.
Added Edgewood EMT Kathleen Weinbrecht, “Not only do they cover their own district, but they help with all of Edgewood, too.”
It’s a comfort to residents knowing that two fire departments are at the ready to extinguish a fire, save a life or assist at a crash. And that squabbling over territory is a thing of the past.