Albuquerque Fire Rescue Graduates 101st Cadet Class
Albuquerque Fire Rescue (AFR) is proud to announce the graduation of the 101st Cadet Class. 26 cadets completed the 18-week academy and will now join the department as sworn firefighters. They enter the ranks at probationary Firefighter 2nd Class and receive 11 months of intensive on the job training and monthly evaluations in order to attain the rank of Firefighter 1st Class.
Albuquerque Fire Rescue is committed to excellence in service delivery and is staffed with over 700 firefighters. Albuquerque firefighters are some of the best and busiest in the nation answering 108,379 calls for service in 2022. AFR is one of less than 1% of fire departments in the world that hold both an ISO 1 rating and CPSE accreditation.
“This a department is committed to the highest standard of excellence and a new cadet class with mettle to uphold it," said Mayor Tim Keller. "The 101st has answered the call, becoming the latest in a long line of community heroes."
Mayor Keller also announced major changes to the AFR promotional process at the graduation today. Prior to these changes, the promotional process did not account for a member’s experience in rank. These changes to the Fire Rescue Promotional Procedure will not only recognize academic achievements of members, they also consider the years of experience in rank, experience as a Non-commissioned Officer in the United States Military, and/or the attainment of a paramedic license in the State of New Mexico. These changes to AFR’s promotional requirements will create a more competitive and equitable process for the rank of Captain, Battalion Chief, Shift Commander, and Deputy Chief. AFR also made changes to the promotional process for Paramedic Driver in an effort to incentivize members to sign up for paramedic training and complete the licensure process.
It is with honor and excitement that AFR welcomes these changes to the promotional process and welcomes AFR’s newest firefighters to the family.
“Today we welcome the members of the 101st Cadet Class as they join the ranks at Albuquerque Fire Rescue,” said Fire Chief Emily Jaramillo. “This marks 52 firefighters we have hired this year demonstrating AFR’s commitment to improve staffing levels and ensuring quality service delivery.”