Bernalillo County Firefighters Star in New Documentary Series

First episode premieres tonight at the Hiland Theater

Jan. 30, 2026 at 7:15am

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Bernalillo County Firefighters are the focus of a new documentary series that provides a behind-the-scenes look at the department's history and growth. The series, titled "Through Their Eyes: The History of Bernalillo County Fire & Rescue," shares stories from individuals who have shaped the department over the years, both as volunteers and employees.

Why it matters

The documentary series aims to highlight the important work of the Bernalillo County Fire & Rescue department and preserve the history of the organization for future generations. As the department has grown from a small team of nine paid firefighters to nearly 300, the series showcases the vital role that both paid and volunteer firefighters have played in serving the community.

The details

The first three episodes of the documentary series focus on the North Region of Bernalillo County Fire & Rescue, with future episodes set to explore the East and South Regions. Retired Captain Steven Andrews noted that when he was working, there were only nine paid firefighters, and the volunteers were the main support for the department. Now, the department has nearly 300 firefighters.

  • The documentary series premieres tonight, January 30, 2026, at the Hiland Theater in Albuquerque.
  • Doors open at 6 p.m., and the premiere starts at 6:30 p.m.

The players

Zachary Lardy

Bernalillo County Fire & Rescue Chief

Steven Andrews

Retired Bernalillo County Fire & Rescue Captain

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What they’re saying

“It's a positive service that we provide in the community, and it's exciting to know where we came from as an organization. It's kind of important for the next generation, for us to really lay that groundwork and to not lose that history and not lose all the hard work that came with the development of our organization.”

— Zachary Lardy, Bernalillo County Fire & Rescue Chief

“The volunteers were the main support for us, and they were extremely helpful back then. I think the United States has more volunteer fire departments than they do paid fire departments. So, they're very important.”

— Steven Andrews, Retired Bernalillo County Fire & Rescue Captain

What’s next

The documentary series will continue to explore the history and growth of the Bernalillo County Fire & Rescue department, with future episodes focusing on the East and South Regions.

The takeaway

The Bernalillo County Fire & Rescue documentary series highlights the vital role that both paid and volunteer firefighters have played in serving the community over the years, and the importance of preserving the department's history for future generations.