A new program is changing the game when it comes to recruiting Albuquerque Fire Rescue. “We’re a full force and we have a full reputation, full staff,” said Captain Brian Fox. Help doesn’t stop there. Officials say AFR stations typically receive between 8,000 and 9,000 emergency calls a month. The number amounts to over 100,000 calls per year. Given the high volume of calls in emergency situations, officials say the department needs more staff. However, there have been few applicants in the past 10 years. A problem that affects fire stations across the country. “There’s a shortage of applicants just for licenses and things like that,” said Capt. Fox. “Then you will see mass retirement, department-wide.” AFR is now thinking outside the box and is running a new fire service aid program to become a fire service. AFR is the only division offering the program in New Mexico. “So we found a way to keep some of these people,” said Capt. Fox. Candidates known as FSAs are optionally selected to begin their careers in the fire service. The program is aimed at future cadets waiting to be accepted into the Albuquerque Fire Academy. Officials say the selection process will take time, adding that there are several months between the selection and the cadet’s start date with AFR being forced to quit the job. Due to the financial hardship of waiting months for the job to start, some cadets choose to leave the fire department: “They don’t make calls to the front lines. They don’t put employees on the front lines. said Capt. Fox. Through the department’s logistics department, FSAs get to know the fire brigade and support the field service departments in their efforts to reduce certain workloads from existing fire brigade tasks. Possible tasks are hydrant inspections, data entry and system maintenance. “We have a couple of FSAs in action,” said Capt. Fox. “After this next testing process, we’ll be increasing those numbers and getting more work between cadet programs.” Officials say the program gives candidates an opportunity to start their firefighting careers early while gaining insight into AFR is a great way to get into the department and for people to read up on our various departments in Albuquerque Fire to see what they’d like to be a part of, “said Capt. Fox. The department doesn’t have a specific number of FSAs to hire, but Officials add that they are ready to set a goal for themselves by the end of next year, and if you’d like to join the program, visit AFR’s website here.
ALBUQUERQUE, NM –
A new program is changing the game when it comes to recruiting Albuquerque Fire Rescue.
“We are a full force and have full call volume [and] full staff, “said Captain Brian Fox.
For the firefighters in Duke City, the calls for help don’t stop.
Officials say AFR stations typically receive between 8,000 and 9,000 emergency calls a month.
The numbers add up to over 100,000 calls per year.
Given the high volume of calls in emergency situations, officials say the department needs more staff.
However, there have been few applicants in the past 10 years.
A problem that affects fire departments across the country.
“There’s a shortage of applicants just for licenses and things like that,” said Capt. Fox. “Then you see mass retirements, department-wide.”
AFR is now thinking outside the box and is introducing a new fire service assistance program.
Officials say the opportunity is their continued commitment to select, hire and retain the best candidates to become firefighters.
AFR is the only division offering the program in New Mexico.
“So we found a way to keep some of these people,” said Capt. Fox.
Candidates known as FSAs are optionally selected to begin their careers in the fire service.
The program is aimed at future cadets waiting to be accepted into the Albuquerque Fire Academy. Officials say the selection process will take time, adding that there are several months between the selection and the cadet’s start date with AFR being forced to quit the job.
Due to the financial hardship of waiting months for the job to start, some cadets decide to leave the fire department academy.
“[FSAs] Do not make frontline calls. They do not occupy any front-line apparatus. They have a support role and learn support functions, “said Capt. Fox.
Through the department’s logistics department, FSAs get to know the fire brigade and support the field service departments in their efforts to reduce certain workloads from existing fire brigade tasks.
Possible tasks are hydrant inspections, data entry and system maintenance.
“We have a couple of FSAs that are working,” said Captain Fox. “Then, after this next testing process, we’ll increase those numbers and get more work between cadet programs.”
Officials say the program offers candidates the opportunity to get their firefighting careers early on while gaining insights into AFR.
“This is a great way to get into the department and hear people about our various departments in Albuquerque Fire [Rescue] to see what they want to be a part of, “said Capt. Fox.
The department doesn’t have a specific number of FSAs to hire, but officials add they are ready to set a goal by the end of next year.
To join the program, visit AFR’s website here.
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