City of Sunland Park puts first-ever ambulance into service

SUNLAND PARK, New Mexico - Fire Station #1 in Sunland Park, New Mexico, has officially inaugurated the department's first ambulance.

The new unit is a source of pride for the volunteers and staff and was funded through the City's general fund.

"Both the City and the department are very excited to have the opportunity to better serve our community with this ambulance," Chief of Sunland Park Fire, Daniel Medrano said.

All of the department's 17 firefighters are also certified EMTs.

The ambulance itself is used and cost $71,000. But another $120,000 was spent on equipment and supplies.

A push-in ceremony dates back to the 1800s, when fire departments used hand-drawn pumpers that were pulled mainly by horses.

Horses could not easily back the pumpers into the fire station, so firefighters would push the equipment in themselves.

Now it is a tradition most fire departments observe when they introduce a new rig or fire fighting vehicle.