McKINLEY WEST FIRE DEPARTMENT, DISTRICT #7

McKinley West Fire Department is located along Historic Route 66 along side of the interstate I-40 coridor. The department is the western most department in New Mexico along I-40, and is only 14 miles from the Arizona border. The district serves it's local populous along with a traveling populous on I-40, and when called upon (which is often) to serve the Gallup area and into Arizona. The district has responded well past Sanders Arizona before. The terrian is hilly with lots of brush and rural in nature. There is a railroad line that runs next to the station and when the railroad (Santa Fe Rail Road) decides to grind their tracks, it usually leads to many brush fires.

McKinley West Fire Department was established in 1986 with the first chief being Mr. Steve Robertson who was in office for 2 years until Mr. Albert Wenger who is still currently the reigning fire chief. Mr. Albert Wenger received his experience in Phoenix Fire Department before he move to the Gallup area where he now works in management for the local Safeway Store.

The first EMT was Mr. Steve Robertson and although there was never a "mass class" of EMT'S, there has always been a slow filtering of EMT's in and out of the district. The highest EMT count was in 1989 when the district had eight, however now they only have 3 for the time being until additional personnel are trained. This district has the highest amount of extrication scenes per year in the entire county, and in opinion is one of the best team's. McKinley West has one of the highest fire responses of all the districts and is probably the Third busiest district (not sure if it's McKinley West or Whispering Cedars) with Thoreau FD being the busiest overall (due to EMS Ambulance).

The District started with a loaned La France pumper (year unknown, however it was probably helped by horses at one time) from the city of Gallup in order to certify the district for state fire funds. The La France pumper stayed at the district for about 6 months when it was returned along with the hay and horses. Also, in late 1986, the district obtained a 5000 gallon fuel service truck from the Air Force that had a 900 GPM pump with fifty feet of 3 inch hose.

In late 1987 the district purchased a 1974 Dodge Power Wagon from Bernallio County District #7 (Paradise Hills) that was used as a rescue squad. 1988 saw the purchase of a E-One class "A" pumper, 1000 gallon tank and 1000 GPM single stage Hale pump. This pumper is still in prime condition and is still in service.

A demo model, 1989 Becker Fast-Tac squad, was emergently purchased to replace the 1974 squad that was in failing health (almost asystole), the old squad wouldn't stop at some scenes and wouldn't go to the others. I believe it was when the Fire Marshal, August Martin received a ride in this unit to a scene and watched in awe (and probably terror) as they passed the scene at warp speed with the failed brakes fully applied, that the decision was made for the new purchase.

In 1990, McKinley West F.D. saw the purchase of a 1800 gallon tanker equipped with a portable hale 2000 pump (fondly called R2D2 which still requires a swift kick to start).

In 1992 the Becker Fast-Tac was transferred to another McKinley County District (Timber Lake) when the district received a 1992, 1 1/2 ton heavy rescue. The 1992 rescue was in service until 1995 when the truck was accidentally parked on a burning stump (at a brush fire) and the operator turned around to see the bed of the truck engulfed by flames. The rescue was reconditioned and was refitted and upgraded by Becker Fire Equipment. In June 1996, the unit was placed back into service. The refitting included placing a 300 gallon booster tank and KK compressed foam system on board (hopefully not to be used on it's self again) and 220/110 volt generating system.

Current Administration:

Bernie Leekity, Chief
Doug Scott, Asst. Chief
Rudy Nez, Captain

McKinley West Fire Department
HCR2 Box 58
Gallup, NM 87305
(505) 863-1418
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