Interim county fire chief made permanent

Greg Perez is the next chief of the Bernalillo County Fire Department. Bernalillo County commissioners took the interim title away during last week’s meeting and confirmed the appointment of the veteran firefighter and administrator as chief.

“Greg has worked his way up the ladder in the fire service and has shown that he is uniquely qualified to take on the role of fire chief,” County Manager Julie Morgas Baca said. “Chief Perez has filled in as interim chief and now will take on the position permanently. I have full faith in his abilities to lead the BCFD.”

Perez began his career in the fire service as a volunteer firefighter and EMT with the Village of Los Ranchos and eventually served as chief of the department from 2005 to 2009.

He became a battalion commander when Bernalillo County took over the Los Ranchos Fire Department in 2009.

He was promoted to division chief for staffing and communication in 2010, then promoted to deputy chief of administration in 2013.

Perez became interim chief in 2017, replacing former Chief Chris Celaya. In addition, he has served as chairman of the Metro Fire Chiefs Association since 2015.

“I have worked diligently in every area of my career, and I am honored to accept the position as fire chief because the fire service is where my heart is,” Perez said in a statement.

“I believe that Bernalillo County firefighters are the best the state has to offer, and it’s a privilege to work with each and every one of them.”

Perez, currently the deputy county manager for health and public safety with the county in addition to his interim duties, will assume his new position as chief July 23.

APPROPRIATED FUNDS:

Commissioners at the meeting also approved $2.3 million to purchase sheriff pursuit vehicles, fire apparatus and other county fleet vehicles.

Broken down, appropriated funds include:

$500,000 for general fleet vehicle replacement for vehicles older than seven years and with more than 150,000 miles.

$500,000 for heavy equipment replacement older than 10 years.

About $1.1 million for sheriff pursuit vehicle replacement older than five years with more than 120,000 miles.

$1.5 million for fire apparatus replacement older than 10 years.

And $160,000 for public safety vehicles outside the sheriff’s department older than seven years with more than 150,000 miles.