In a landmark initiative to enhance regional emergency response capabilities, Doña Ana County, the Cities of Sunland Park and Las Cruces, the White Sands /NASA Test Facility, and the Town of Mesilla signed a historic Automatic Mutual Aid Agreement for fire services. This collaborative agreement aims to streamline and improve fire response times across jurisdictions, ensuring quicker and more efficient emergency services for all residents and facilities in the region.

The automatic aid agreement was signed Tuesday, Aug. 27, marking a significant step in the collective effort to bolster public safety and emergency preparedness. This agreement formalizes the commitment of each participating entity to provide aid automatically in fire response operations, effectively pooling resources and expertise to address structure fires, cardiac arrest and mass casualty incidents more effectively.

Under this agreement, when a building fire occurs in any of the participating jurisdictions, the closest available resources will be dispatched automatically, regardless of jurisdictional boundaries. This approach speeds up response time and maximizes leveraging  specialized personnel and equipment.

Agreement Highlights:

• Enhanced Response Times: Immediate dispatch of the closest available fire resources, reducing response times, potentially saving lives and limiting damages.
• Resource Sharing: Access to specialized equipment and trained personnel across all participating entities, enhancing each department's operational effectiveness.
• Improved Coordination: Streamlined communication and operational procedures between fire departments, ensuring a cohesive and efficient response to emergencies.

City of Sunland Park Fire Chief Daniel Medrano, City of Las Cruces Fire Chief Jason Smith, White Sands Test Facility - NASA Fire Deputy Chief Jimmy Herrera, Town of Mesilla Fire Chief Greg Whited and Doña Ana County Fire Chief Shannon Cherry expressed enthusiasm for the agreement, highlighting its significance in advancing community safety and fostering interagency collaboration.

This historic agreement marks a new era in regional fire service operations, setting a precedent for future collaboration and innovation in emergency management.

Pictured left to right: City of Las Cruces Fire Department Chief Jason Smith, Town of Mesilla Fire Department Chief Greg Whited, City of Sunland Park Fire Department Chief Daniel Medrano, New Mexico State University Fire Department Chief Johnny Carrillo and Doña Ana Fire Rescue Chief Shannon Cherry.