The Las Cruces Fire Department is putting its Swiftwater Rescue Team into action, heading to Ruidoso, New Mexico, as the town braces for potential flooding due to the upcoming monsoon season. Armed with their specialized training in water rescue operations, the team comprises six firefighters and is part of the broader Technical Rescue Team within the LCFD. Their departure was scheduled for Monday, June 23, and the mission is expected to last a week.
"Our deployment emphasizes the department and City’s continued commitment to being a statewide partner," Michael Daniels, the Fire Chief of the Las Cruces Fire Department, stated, as per the Las Cruces Fire Department. He expressed pride in his team's dedication to serving communities beyond their city limits. In 2024, the team had already been called to assist Ruidoso three times and Roswell once, demonstrating their ongoing support for neighboring areas in times of natural disasters.
The Las Cruces Fire Department also has a member currently aiding with incident command for the Trout Fire in Grant County, evidencing their extensive involvement in statewide emergency response efforts. The firefighters on the swiftwater team headed to Ruidoso include battalion chief/paramedic Jeremiah Lay, lieutenant/paramedics Christopher Torres and Christopher Johnson, driver/operators Arnold Diaz and Robert Fresquez, and firefighter Benjamin Monsivaiz.
