Sandoval County Firefighters join with others to meet the elements and geography head-on to protect the wellbeing of residents and visitors to the County.
Our high desert County boasts mountains, trails, and bodies of water, offering a rich terrain for outdoor recreation enthusiasts and those just out to enjoy the scenery. This same landscape can also be the backdrop of a great adventure gone awry, the scene of a motor accident, or extreme conditions caused by floods.
To assist residents and visitors in times of peril is the Rio Grande Basin Rescue (RGBR). This group, established in 2014, is a select group of firefighters from Sandoval County Fire Rescue, Town of Bernalillo Fire, Corrales Fire Department, and Rio Rancho Fire Department, which comes equipped with expertise and experience in heavy technical rescues.
They are ready 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
In times of emergency, this highly skilled and trained team conducts these rescues on land, in the water, and on the mountain:
- Swiftwater and Flood Rescue
- Confined Space Rescue
- Trench/Excavation Rescue
- Advanced Vehicle Extrication
- Structural Collapse Rescue
- Elevator Rescue
- High Angle Rescue
- Industrial Accidents
The RGBR has several watercrafts that can be used on the stretch of river from the Algodones to Alameda including an Air Boat from Corrales Fire Department, two motorized Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIB) from Corrales Fire Department and Rio Rancho Fire & Rescue, and a recently added Inflatable Raft with paddles, oars & motor capabilities from Sandoval County Fire & Rescue. The crafts are deployed based on the type of emergency and water conditions.
Throughout the year, the team also:
- Trains year-round to advance its heavy technical rescue skills (water, trail, and mountains),
- Conducts public education on water, climbing, and hiking safety,
- Performs scheduled safety patrols in high-risk areas
The RGBR trains year-round for water and mountain rescues. This specialized team is engaged in rescue and recovery operations throughout Sandoval County. When needed, it also supports efforts throughout the State and the Southwest region.
These training drills increase the team’s technical skills, and practicing in a non-emergency environment enhances communication skills among team members. This benefits everyone when a real emergency presents itself.
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- The Rio Grande Basin Rescue Team (RGBR) was in the Village of Ruidoso to assist its fire department and other agencies following the historic flash flooding.
