Bernalillo County has announced the appointment of Zachary Lardy as the new Fire Chief for Bernalillo County Fire Rescue (BCFR), following a nationwide search. The announcement comes as Greg Perez steps down from his role as Fire Rescue Chief, a position in which he led significant growth and development within the department.
During Perez’s tenure, BCFR expanded its fleet and personnel to over 300 members. Two new fire stations were added, the Public Safety Training Academy was opened, and construction began on station 36. Perez also guided the county through the Covid-19 pandemic and established regional partnerships to enhance services across jurisdictional boundaries. He will continue serving as Deputy County Manager of Public Safety for Bernalillo County.
After Perez announced his departure earlier this year, Bernalillo County launched an extensive recruitment process to find his successor. The position was advertised nationally with targeted outreach in New Mexico, Texas, and neighboring states through professional networks. The county received 28 applications from across the country, including locations ranging from Hawaii to Florida. Ten candidates were selected for interviews by a six-person panel.
The selection process included multiple interview rounds and assessment exercises focused on leadership skills, problem-solving abilities, oral communication, and interpersonal skills. Finalists participated in events with BCFR personnel and public meet-and-greet sessions before undergoing further evaluation at an assessment center.
The process concluded with a final interview with the County Manager. On September 4th, Bernalillo County named Zachary Lardy as the next Fire Chief of BCFR. Lardy brings more than 19 years of experience at BCFR, including five years as Deputy Chief.
Lardy will oversee more than 300 personnel across 14 districts and will be responsible for operations, training programs, budgeting, emergency preparedness efforts, interagency coordination, and regulatory compliance within BCFR. He is scheduled to be formally introduced to the Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, September 9.
Meanwhile, issues related to public safety remain prominent in Bernalillo County. For example, the District Attorney has expressed frustration over suspects being released without GPS monitors despite court orders requiring them during pretrial release.
“Today, the county is proud to announce the appointment of Zachary Lardy as the next Fire Chief of Bernalillo County Fire Rescue. With more than 19 years of service at BCFR, five years as Deputy Chief, and a wealth of professional credentials, Lardy brings proven leadership and a strong commitment to excellence,” according to officials.
Lardy’s full resume is available online.
