A few good men
Gallup recruiting more firefighters

By Leslie Wood
Staff writer

Gallup fire fighters Wes Bowers, left to right, Ralph Martinez and in his second day on the job Fitzgerald Nez watch as fire fighter Ricardo Sanchez, on ladder, shows them how to operate the nozzle assembly at the end of the telescoping ladder Tuesday afternoon at Fire Station No. 1 in Gallup. [Photo by Jeff Jones/Independent]

GALLUP — The Gallup Fire Department is in the midst of a recruiting effort to fill four vacancies within the agency.
Officials plan to heighten their advertising efforts within the next weeks to entice potential candidates to the department, Division Commander Philip Lopez said Tuesday.

Gallup’s fire department is competing against local, private industry that offers more pay than the city entity can afford.

“We’d like to hire people who are in it for the long haul and want to give back to the community,” Lopez said.

Perks of the job include 20-year retirement, stability and in-depth training related to both fire and EMS fields.

The department’s firefighters are also trained in vehicle extraction, rope rescue and hazardous materials. The department is fast paced and averages between 3,500 and 3,800 calls for assistance per year, most of which are medical related.

Minimum requirements for the position are a criminal background free of felonies, a high school diploma or GED and the applicant must be 18 years or older.

Applicants must also successfully complete a physical ability test, a written exam and an oral interview.

Once hired, new recruits will undergo about 120 hours of fire-related training and another 240 hours of basic EMT classes.

Lopez hopes to conduct the essential classes at the fire department as opposed to sending firefighters to Albuquerque.

“We’re hoping to do it in house,” he said.

The Gallup Police Department experienced a similar shortage last year and has undergone a successful recruiting campaign.

At the beginning of 2007, the agency was down 13 police officers, but has recently filled all but three vacancies. Seven new recruits are currently waiting to attend the six-month police academy in February.

Anyone interested in a position with the Gallup Fire Department, should contact Lopez at (505) 722-4195. Applicants can be picked up at the city hall personnel office.