New Mesilla marshal brings ‘fire dog’
Aspen, a Labrador retriever, is trained to detect fire accelerants
MESILLA — Mesilla’s new marshal isn’t new to the town. Kevin “K.C.” Alberg was a member of the Mesilla Volunteer Fire Department for about three years, and served more recently as the town’s fire marshal. With 21 years of law enforcement and security experience, Alberg was appointed Mesilla’s new marshal on Nov. 1.
“He comes so eminently qualified. We’re fortunate and excited to have him,” said Mayor Nora Barraza.
Alberg said he intends to rely on that experience as Mesilla marshal. Already, he has made some noteworthy changes in Mesilla, bringing the town its first-ever fire dog, a yellow Labrador retriever capable of detecting fire accelerant materials. Mesilla has never had that kind of resource, and neither have almost all communities in southern New Mexico.
Aspen, a 2½-year-old, approximately 60-pound female, is now Alberg’s constant companion. She wears a bib that has an embroidered badge on it. Because of Aspen’s specialized training as a fire dog, she is considered a certified law enforcement officer.
“She goes everywhere I do,” Alberg said. “She’s the only fire dog in the state that is certified in fire accelerate detection.”
Working with fire dogs before, Alberg spearheaded successful efforts for Mesilla to receive a $25,000 grant, and participate in a five-year arson dog program sponsored by State Farm Insurance.
“The grant pays for training, flights, anything and everything needed to help her professionally,” Alberg said. “She’s a resource, not only for the town, but the state as well. Any fire calls the town’s fire department has been sent to, she also responds. She is also available as a resource to any other community where her training and skills can be used. If asked for, Aspen is available to help with (fire) investigations outside of Mesilla’s jurisdiction.”
Since Aspen arrived in Mesilla in April, the dog has been used to help in the investigation of a fire in the village of Santa Clara, near Silver City. Alberg said Aspen’s services have also been offered to fire departments in Las Cruces and Doña Ana County.
“She is very good at what she does,” Alberg said. “She is always training.”
The dog’s demeanor is also an asset. Alberg said Aspen gets along with children, and that helps in creating educational opportunities.
“We took her to Mesilla Elementary where she interacted with 300 young ones,” Alberg said. “She let every child that wanted to get close to her. By nature, she can be a good-natured, playful dog. But she also knows when it’s time for her to go to work, and she is very professional in that regard.”
As a provision of the grant, Mesilla pays no costs for Aspen’s care and upkeep. The dog lives with Alberg and his family, and they pay for all of the dog’s food, grooming, and any medical care she might need.
Upon completion of the five-year State Farm program, Alberg would have the options of retiring Aspen, and keeping her as a family dog, or continuing re-certification of the dog’s training so she can continue serving as a fire dog.
In addition to being Aspen’s handler, Alberg is also focused on operations and management of the seven-member Mesilla Marshals Department. In that new position for a little more than seven weeks, Alberg has already begun making some changes within the department.
“I was fortunate because I already knew the staff that was here,” he said. “We want to increase responsiveness to our residents, and bring in as many services as we can possibly offer. We’ve been talking in recent weeks and want to come up with strategies to address a lot of those issues.”