Substation improves protection in Loma Grande

May 31--Work on a shiny new substation for the Nogal Volunteer Fire Department is winding down, its red exterior a throwback to a previous era and a reminder of the dedication of the community's fire fighters and the generosity of a local supporter.

Abi Ann" Hoffman, a professional singer/songwriter, donated the metal building, and the new substation will be named in her honor.

The new location will cut response time for firefighters to the Loma Grande area, which has increased in population over the last decade, and with a better rating from the Insurance Services Office, will result in lower insurance premiums for homeowners.

"Her family is from Carrizozo originally, although they scattered years ago," local Realtor and Nogal Capt. Doug Siddens said. "She will be 19 on June 27, and she opened for Kelly Clarkson last year on a 37-city "Piece by Piece" tour. She's set to open now for Carrie Underwood.

"She loves to help firefighters and police officers. We had one acre of land donated by the David Cox family about 10 years ago and then Abi Ann donated the building."

"About three years ago after we joined the station, Doug was talking to Mr. (Don) Hoffman about being a fire fighter and found out she wanted to donate the station for us and that got the ball rolling," Nogal Fire Chief Chris Row said. "After about a year of investigating if we had enough money and getting some preliminary bids and stuff like that, we thought we could get the station built. Two years ago, we finally pulled the trigger and got the ball rolling. It's been like a labor of love to get through all this.

"When we first started this thing, I thought it would be like the old days when you just go up there and get this thing done. So many things have changed. It's just not the way things are done anymore. It's been a learning curve for everybody with the donations of the building and the land."

"We've got the building up," Siddens said during the interview last week. "It's not finished."

An inspection had been called for electrical work and plumbing was wrapping up that day, Row said, adding, "We're getting close to a grand opening."

The substation will include three, 12 feet by 14 feet bays and a small office. Row thanked all of the local contractors who helped bring the project together.

"It's so vital, because it will result in a massive reduction in insurance (premium) costs within the Loma Grande subdivision and that area," Siddens said.

The department went from a 9x ISO rating to a 6x, a three point improvement based on a department's fire suppression capabilities, which should significantly reduce the insurance rates for everyone, Row said.

"Where it's located (at mile marker 6 on New Mexico Highway 37), our response times in the Loma Grande area will be cut down significantly, because we don't have to try to take the trucks all the way up Nogal Hill," he said.

The Nogal department was struggling several years ago, but improvements in the Nogal community water supply and fire fighting equipment turned it around, Siddens and Row said.

"Today, we have 14 volunteers," Siddens said. "We're just one step below Ruidoso now and have a brand new substation."

The main station in Nogal also will be painted red, with the name of the department on the white bay doors, Row said. The substation will have the Abi Ann name on its west-facing exterior.

"Anything north dropping down into Nogal, the existing station will take care of, and Loma Grande, where most live now, will have much better response time," Row said. "We've had a couple of controlled burns that got out of control. We'd have to go all the way down (Nogal Hill), grab an apparatus and try to bring it back up the (steep) hill. That takes a considerable amount of time and things can get out of hand quickly."

The department has four apparatus and will begin to save toward adding a fifth.

"I don't think people realize the number of hours involved," Siddens said. "We were on three fires in two days. Chris has really done a wonderful job since taking over as chief."

Row previously served on the Ruidoso Planning Commission when he lived in the village.

"I was giving a little back and when we moved out here, someone asked if I would like to be a volunteer fireman and I said sure," Row said, "The community has been really good to me and I like to give back. I think most firefighters think the same."

Siddens said Row convinced him and several others to become involved, "and I wish i started 30 years ago. I truly love it, the camaraderie that police and firefighters have."

Being a volunteer firefighter also means an individual may have to drop what he or she is doing in their regular work to respond to a call, he said.

Siddens said he's hoping a fund-raising grand opening for the new substation can be arranged to benefit all volunteer fire departments in Lincoln County, and he said Abi Ann also is interested in doing more.

According to promotional material, Abi Ann has been in the studio recording an album to be released this summer and she's a native of Midland, Texas.

She "balances a rigorous school schedule at Belmont University in Nashville studying Entrepreneurship, as well as her touring, songwriting and appearances," the release states. She has an "extreme passion" for charity, is an anti-bully activist, is fluent in French and has traveled to more than 40 countries. One of her hits is her own song, "Future Ex Boyfriend."

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