Executive Staff
Fire Chief Emily Jaramillo
Fire Chief Emily Jaramillo grew up in rural New Mexico. She achieved a BA in English and Secondary Education at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa in 1999. After returning home to New Mexico, Emily taught and coached for four years at Albuquerque Public Schools before joining Albuquerque Fire Rescue in 2005. During her time at AFR, Emily has served as an officer in both the Paramedic and Fire Suppression Divisions, served on the AFD Safety Committee, taught in the EMS Training Division, and coordinated both the Professional Development and Firefighter Health and Wellness programs, served at the chair of the Operations Planning Committee for ACS, and serves on the board for the Mental Health Response Advisory Committee. In 2015, she was the recipient of the IAFF 244 Outstanding Leadership Award and was nominated as an Albuquerque Business First Woman of Excellence in 2022.
In March of 2023, Emily was selected and promoted to become the first woman to serve as Fire Chief in AFR's 123 year history.
Prior to being appointed Fire Chief, she served as Deputy Chief of Emergency Medical Services for Albuquerque Fire Rescue, the Health & Safety Division, Chaplaincy Program, Peer Support Network, the community paramedic Home Engagement and Alternative Response Team (HEART), Records Management, the Albuquerque Fire Rescue Pharmacy, and the field EMS Quality Assurance Officers. The AFR Medical Director, Doctor Kimberly Pruett, and Behavioral Health Director, Maia Theodore-Dalton also fall under this Division.
The Emergency Services Division is committed to providing exemplary pre-hospital care and community paramedicine to the citizens of Albuquerque with a strong focus on patient care and quality assurance.
Fire Chief Jaramillo is also a mother to two young children and holds a Masters Degree in Public Health from New Mexico State University.
Contact Fire Chief Jaramillo at [email protected].
Deputy Chief Clint Anderson
COMMUNICATIONS, TECHNICAL SERVICES, TRAINING
Deputy Chief Anderson was born in Florida and raised in Albuquerque from age 2. After graduating La Cueva High School, he studied Exercise Science at the University of New Mexico achieving his Bachelors Degree in 2005. Prior to joining Albuquerque Fire Rescue, Anderson worked with the City of Albuquerque as a lifeguard with Parks and Recreation and as an exercise instructor with the Department of Senior Affairs.
Deputy Chief Anderson joined AFR in 2006 as part of the 72nd cadet class. Shortly after his rookie year, he attended AFR’s Paramedic School, achieving the status of Paramedic in 2008. DC Anderson worked predominately in Operations for the first 15 years with the department moving from Rescue Driver to Rescue Lieutenant, largely out of AFR Fire Station 12 in southeast Albuquerque.
In 2017, Anderson promoted to the rank of Captain and was selected to work as the Quality Assurance Officer for his respective shift. This position included many opportunities to work on EMS QA, interacting and working with crews on high acuity calls, and facilitating after-action work to improve EMS service delivery within the department. This position also afforded Deputy Chief Anderson the opportunity to co-speak with UNMH EMS Consortium Physician Jenna White on Out of Hospital Cardiac Ultrasound at the National Association of EMS Physician’s conference in San Diego, California in early 2020.
While operating as the QA Officer, DC Anderson took advantage of AFR’s tuition reimbursement program and completed a Masters Degree in Public Safety Leadership Administrations through Arizona State University. Prior to promoting to the rank of Deputy Chief, Anderson worked as a Field Battalion Chief and spent 2 years working as the Battalion Chief for the Field Operations Center and Special Operations. This included oversight for AFR’s Wildland, Heavy Technical Rescue and Hazmat programs, managing AFR’s involvement in CABQ Special Events (concerts, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, etc) and oversight for the Field Operations Staffing under DC Melek.
DC Anderson maintains a passion for field response at AFR. This will fuel the leadership and direction he provides as he will refine and centralize AFR’s policies, procedures and guidelines. This will also include taking over management of AFR’s credentialing process through the Center for Public Safety Excellence. Deputy Chief Anderson is a loving father of three wonderful young women.
Deputy Chief Anderson enjoys time with his family, reading, cooking, exercising and attending and serving at Citizen Church.
Contact Deputy Chief Anderson at [email protected].
Deputy Chief Jimmy Melek
FIELD OPERATIONS
Deputy Chief Jimmy Melek has been a member Albuquerque Fire Rescue since 2004. He was born and raised in New Mexico and graduated from West Mesa High School. After high school, he attended Adams State College in Colorado where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
After earning his degree, he decided he wanted to return home and serve his community by pursuing a career as a firefighter. While applying, testing, and waiting to be selected, he was a teacher and wrestling coach at Cibola High School. During his time with AFR, he has served in various roles in efforts to contribute to the department. He promoted to Lieutenant through the Suppression side of the department and then went to paramedic school as an officer. This career path gives him a diverse perspective of emergency response and also provides the experience in almost every role on every apparatus.
Certified as an HTR Technician, he was assigned to Station 3 as Captain of the Heavy Technical Rescue Task Force. In addition to field response, he also participated in numerous activities to help progress the department. He was the lead of the HEART (Home Engagement and Alternative Response Team) program that focuses on high utilizers of the EMS system, fall prevention, and harm reduction aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use. He also participated in the EMS Quality Assurance & Improvement Program, Firefighter Mental Health and Well Being Committee, CPSE Committee, Report Compliance Committee, Blue Card Committee, and Professional Development.
DC Melek is a passionate father, a loving son, and a loyal friend. He likes to spend his free time watching his daughter play volleyball, play pool with his dad, and golf with friends. Deputy Chief Melek oversees all field operations on each of the departments’ three shifts. He is responsible for all special event coordination and associated AFR activities. He manages the three AFR special operations divisions that include Wildland, Hazardous Materials, and Heavy Technical Rescue.
Contact Deputy Chief Melek at [email protected].
Deputy Chief Christopher Sotelo
HUMAN RESOURCES
Deputy Chief Christopher Sotelo grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After graduating from Manzano High School, he attended New Mexico Highlands University on an athletic football scholarship. After 4 years he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.
Upon graduation from college, he joined the United States Army. After spending 16 months in Afghanistan supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, he continued his military service part time and took on a job at the Bernalillo County Juvenile Youth Services Center. There he was influential in molding and mentoring young minds. During his 17-year AFR career, Deputy Chief Sotelo spent most of his time in Operations, with a 2-year stint as an instructor at Albuquerque Fire Rescue’s prestigious Fire Academy. There, he taught cadets how to be professional firefighters.
Along the way Deputy Chief Sotelo served 4 years on the IAFF Local 244 Executive Board, where he advocated for funding initiatives, due process, and safer working conditions. Deputy Chief Sotelo has served on the Grievance and Appeals Committee, Field Training Officer Committee and he was a Department Stakeholder for the Center of Public Safety Excellence (CPSE), which addressed the organization’s approach to strategic planning, the department’s mission, and support services to the community. Deputy Chief Sotelo oversees Human Resources, the Safety Division, and the Mental Health and Wellness Division.
Contact Deputy Chief Sotelo at [email protected].
Deputy Chief Alejandro Marrufo
PLANNING & LOGISTICS
Deputy Chief Alejandro Marrufo was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He graduated from West Mesa High School and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Administration from Columbia Southern University. He has been with Albuquerque Fire Rescue since 2008 and was a member of the 76th cadet class.
As the Captain overseeing the Emergency Dispatch Center for AFR, the division was named division of the year in 2020. Deputy Chief Marrufo was named IAFF Outstanding leader in 2021. His time as Captain of the Emergency Dispatch Center saw many improvements to dispatch procedures and operations at AFR. DC Marrufo will oversee Logistics, Fiscal Division, Fleet Division, and Capital Improvements.
Under his oversight, AFR Logistics supports all of the operational and supply needs for over 30 facilities and over 200 vehicles and apparatus. Fleet Maintenance maintains and repairs all emergency apparatus for AFR. The Fiscal Division manages payroll, grants, procurement, contracts, budget, and many other finance related activities. The Capital Improvements Division maintains all of AFR’s facilities and construction projects.
Alejandro enjoys camping, traveling, and spending time with family.
Contact Deputy Chief Marrufo at [email protected].
Deputy Chief & Fire Marshal Jason Garcia
FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE
Fire Marshal Jason Garcia has been a member of Albuquerque Fire Rescue since 1998. He was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico and grew up on the westside of Albuquerque. Jason attended West Mesa High School and later graduated from Freedom High School. He comes from a family of firefighters that have all served with Albuquerque Fire Rescue. His two uncles James Gallegos and John Garcia, along with his older brother Vince Garcia, have all retired from Albuquerque Fire Rescue.
Growing up he had a great respect for his uncles and his brother, deciding later that he wanted to follow in their footsteps as a member of our fire department. As a veteran firefighter of over 25 years, he has had many opportunities at all of the ranks to serve in the Fire Marshal’s Office and with field operations. Most of his time in the department has been spent serving in the Fire Marshal's Office.
As a chief officer Jason has served as the fire marshal and a battalion chief in the field, giving him a well-rounded perspective of the department. He credits any success he has had throughout his career to the outstanding firefighters that have worked under his command and the incredible officers that he worked for throughout his career who influenced him to be the best officer he could be.
As the Fire Marshal/Deputy Chief of the Fire Marshal’s Office, Fire Marshal Garcia oversees the Fire Inspections Office, ADAPT, Fire Investigations, Plans Checking, and Community Risk Reduction.
Jason also volunteers as the athletic director for Hope Christian Elementary School where he has worked with elementary students as athletic director, coach, and mentor for over eight years. Deputy Chief Garcia is a devoted husband and father, living everyday led by his faith.
Contact Deputy Chief Garcia at [email protected].
SHIFT COMMANDER JOSEPH LOPEZ
Shift Commander Joseph Lopez was born and raised in the far South Valley in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After graduating from Saint Pius X High School, Joseph continued on to the University Of New Mexico on a Track and Cross-Country scholarship. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in University Studies.
During his senior year at the University, he was selected to be a proud member of the 67th cadet class. His career with AFR began in 2004. He has spent the majority of his career at Fire Station 5 in southeast Albuquerque, where he has worked through the ranks from Firefighter to Battalion Chief. During his time serving the southeast heights, he has received several awards for lifesaving rescues, as well as Station of the Year during his time as a Captain. His passion has always been focused on serving his community through quality service and compassion to the people of the community he serves. He has always had a constant desire to improve as a firefighter and public servant, which has been evident during each promotion.
During the last 13 years, he has been an instructor who not only helped to teach fire fighters as they promote through the ranks, but also developed many curriculum courses that have been used for professional development.
One of his proudest non-emergency accomplishments has been his work and dedication to the design and construction of two new training structures at the Albuquerque Fire Academy. This facility is used nearly every day by AFR cadets and firefighters in an effort to continue the growth of our fire fighter’s skills and to meet the ever-evolving needs of the community. He is a regular participant in the promotional process as a Subject Matter Expert as well as a participant involved in the hiring process for our future fire fighters.
Outside of the fire service he is an active member of his community, a loving husband, and proud father of 3 children. He is an avid runner and enjoys playing sports with his “brothers and sisters” of the fire service. He looks forward to continuing his proud service to this community and this department.
Contact Shift Commander Joseph Lopez at [email protected]
SHIFT COMMANDER JASON CHARLTON
Shift Commander Jason Charlton is an Albuquerque native and graduate of Eldorado High School. After graduation, Charlton enrolled at the University of New Mexico completing a bachelor’s degree in History and then Central New Mexico Community College receiving an Associates Degree in Fire Science.
He joined the fire service in 2005 as a member of Albuquerque Fire Rescue’s 71st Cadet Class. Prior to joining AFR, Charlton spent years working in the outdoor recreation industry leading whitewater rafting, mountaineering and backpacking trips.
Charlton is a Hazardous Materials Technician who served as AFR’s Hazardous Materials Program Manager for two years while concurrently filling the COA Emergency Operations Center’s Emergency Support Function for hazardous materials. With the exception of this two-year administrative assignment, the rest of Charlton’s AFR career has been in Fire Suppression Operations.
As a Captain, Charlton supervised Fire Station 4 in 2019 when they were awarded AFR’s Station of the Year and the SERVPRO Honor a Responder award for a lifesaving flood channel rescue. Charlton also served as a Steward on the IAFF Local 244 Executive Board for two years and has been an American Council on Exercise certified Peer Fitness Trainer since 2012. Charlton has served as an adjunct instructor for AFR’s Professional Development Program and has also been a structured oral interview panelist during AFR’s hiring process. Prior to promoting to Shift Commander, Charlton served for two years as Battalion Chief of AFR’s Battalion 2 on the East Central corridor.
When not on shift Charlton enjoys climbing mountains and kayaking.
Contact Shift Commander Jason Charlton at [email protected]
SHIFT COMMANDER MICHAEL ROGERS
Shift Commander Michael Rogers grew up in California in a military family. After high school graduation he joined the United States Air Force and moved overseas. He served as a military Firefighter during the Gulf War serving in England and Italy covering airfield operations.
After 7 years in the armed forces he joined the Federal Fire Service at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. He moved to Albuquerque and joined Albuquerque Fire Rescue in 2007. He has gone through the ranks from being on the Rescue as a paramedic, to the Hazardous Materials Captain, to a Battalion Chief at District 3 and his current assignment as the Shift Commander on B-Shift.
Commander Rogers earned his bachelor’s degree in EMS Management and holds numerous certifications in Wildland Firefighting, Hazardous Materials Response, Paramedicine, Aircraft Fire Fighting and Heavy Technical Rescue.
He has been married to his wife for over 25 years and enjoys spending time with his children and granddaughter.
Contact Shift Commander Michael Rogers at [email protected]