• 24-hour access to a gym
• Nominal fee stipend
• New Mexico Volunteer Firefighters Retirement Plan
• Ability to attend multi-discipline trainings at no cost
• Career path to full-time employment
• Satisfaction of helping your friends and neighbors in need
• One-time death benefit of $1,000,000 awarded to the survivors of any volunteer firefighter killed in the line of duty. This payment shall be awarded to the surviving spouse, or prorated among surviving children if there is no spouse, or to the surviving parents if there is neither spouse nor child.

No, in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), volunteer firefighters are non-salaried operational members of the department. Volunteer firefighters are eligible to receive a nominal fee stipend.

No, all training, gear, and equipment are provided by San Juan County Fire & Rescue.

All training classes are held on nights and weekends, recognizing that many volunteers have other commitments in addition to volunteering. Once qualified, there are ample opportunities for volunteers to meet the minimum participation requirements. For example, every fire station is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, allowing for flexible staffing. Additionally, volunteers can staff career units to meet membership requirements.

A significant aspect of excellence in the fire service is the quality of our personnel. We take the commitment to serve our community very seriously. Therefore, we also take the recruitment and selection of volunteers who join our ranks just as seriously. We are committed to the volunteers who join us and hold each volunteer to the same standards and commitment in return.

No prior experience is required to join San Juan County Fire & Rescue. However, volunteers with prior fire experience or certifications may transfer their certifications into San Juan County Fire & Rescue, potentially shortening the training process. All volunteers receive training in emergency medical response, fire suppression, wildland fire suppression, hazardous materials, vehicle extrication, and other rescue disciplines free of charge. Upon completion of basic certifications, many more advanced training opportunities become available.

For volunteers with no prior experience, training can take up to 12 months. Firefighter/EMT members spend between 12-18 months in training.

The time commitment to be a volunteer can be demanding. In general, every firefighter is required to complete 20 hours of company training per month. New recruit training can exceed 240 hours per recruit. Firefighters are also required to attend fifty percent of all scheduled fire drills, business meetings, and participate in at least fifty percent of all emergency response calls.

Often, volunteers will choose to apply to the zone closest to their residence or place of work. However, you may choose a zone based on the membership of friends or colleagues. Start by looking at the San Juan County Fire & Rescue website for information on each zone. If you know any volunteers within the county, ask for their opinion or stop by a fire station.

No, this is a selective process, and some individuals will not make it through the selection process.

Yes. All applicants must successfully pass a background investigation, including driving records as part of this process.

Volunteer firefighters must pass a drug screen and physical exam in order to participate in the training provided. This no-cost exam will test your ability to handle the stresses of being an emergency services provider. You must be in good physical condition to become a volunteer firefighter and must be able to complete the San Juan County Fire & Rescue Physical Abilities Test to demonstrate your fitness.

You must be 18 years old. San Juan County Fire & Rescue is not accepting 16-year-old junior members. Upon completion of the academy, you must be a high school graduate or equivalent.

San Juan County Fire & Rescue is an all-risk response department. We commonly respond to structure fires, wildland fires, medical emergencies, hazardous materials responses, all types of rescues, natural disasters, and many more call types.

San Juan County Fire & Rescue is a combination fire department, with both full-time career staff and non-salaried volunteer firefighters. Volunteers receive the same intense and physically demanding training as the career staff of San Juan County Fire & Rescue and perform the same operational roles.