Volunteer firefighters respond to calls for service including various types of fires, EMS calls including Motor Vehicle Accidents, Support for search and rescue Incidents, natural disasters and public service assistance calls.

Volunteer firefighters attend various training courses to become proficient and maintain skills. All new volunteer firefighters who are not already certified must attend the Doña Ana County Volunteer Firefighter Training Academy. Other trainings that volunteer firefighters typically receive include: EMT-First Responder, Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations, Firefighter I, Vehicle Extrication, Driver/Operator, EMT-Basic and Intermediate, and many others. There is no limit to the amount of training a volunteer firefighter can receive.

The Doña Ana County Volunteer Firefighter Training Academy was founded in 2010. The Doña Ana County Administration wanted to ensure that every responder engaging on an emergency scene is properly trained. The academy runs six consecutive weeks, totaling 96 hours. Academies are held several times a year and participants receive entry level firefighter training in accordance with NFPA 1001 Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications. Classes are presented in a lecture based format along with hands on activities and practical skills and include topics such as Firefighter Tools and Equipment, Search and Rescue, Fire Attack, and Incident Command. Candidates are challenged physically and mentally throughout the academy to prepare them for the exciting position of Volunteer Firefighter!

Becoming a Volunteer Firefighter is a rewarding way to better yourself as a person and serve your community. There are unlimited opportunities for training and advancement which may also open the door to becoming a career firefighter. You will learn how to help others in a time when they can’t help themselves. You will also become eligible to receive PERA Benefits if minimum requirements are met. With 10 or more years, you can receive $125 per month and with 25 years of service, you could receive $250 per month.

Interested candidates must be at least 18 years of age and posses a valid driver’s license. Visit http://dektinary.com/fire/ to download an application. Bring the completed application to our office at 1430 Portland Dr. in Las Cruces, or you may drop it off at your neighborhood county fire station. Call (575) 647-7921 for the location of the station nearest you!

Doña Ana County Fire Rescue is a combination fire department with career and volunteer firefighters serving the community. Fire stations and firefighters cover Doña Ana Counties, 3,807 square miles from Garfield to Santa Teresa. Though challenging, a career as a firefighter is one of the most rewarding professions. As a firefighter/EMT, you will respond to various types of fire, and EMS calls, including motor vehicle accidents, support for search and rescue incidents, natural disasters, and public assistance calls. As a firefighter, you will impact people’s lives every day. A career as a firefighter is not a job. It is a lifestyle.  

 Firefighters have a servant’s heart, are team players, are honest, dependable, and positively impact the community. Firefighting is physically and mentally demanding, requiring one to be physically fit, highly trained, motivated, and possess a strong work ethic.

• Minimum Entry Requirements:
  • 18 years of age,
  • A valid unrestricted driver’s license,
  • High school diploma or GED,
  • Clean background check

After successfully completing the hiring process, candidates will be hired as Firefighter Trainees and attend a Firefighter Trainee Academy. The Firefighter Trainee Academy provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to be a successful firefighter/EMT. Trainees must complete the academy to be promoted to Firefighter, at which time a 12-month probationary period will start.

• Submit a completed application online at http://dektinary.com/hr
• All applications are then reviewed.
• Candidates will be invited to take the Physical Agility Test.
• Candidates who pass the Physical Agility Test will be invited to take a 100-question, general knowledge, written exam. A minimum passing score is 70%.
• Candidates who pass the written test will be invited to a panel-structured Oral Board interview.
• Following the Oral Board interview, the panel will forward recommendations for hire to the Fire Chief and Human Resources, who will then contact candidates to begin Phase II of the process, which includes medical physical and drug screen, background check, and polygraph.
• It cannot be emphasized enough that a clean background (history of making good choices) is essential. The background investigation process includes a polygraph exam.