By Erica Cordova
Albuquerque Journal (New Mexico)
Copyright 2007 Albuquerque Journal
SANTA FE, N.M. — The Santa Fe County Commission this week approved spending $350,000 on a modular building to serve as living quarters for firefighters at the Agua Fria Fire Station. But with a staff shortage at the Fire Department, there might not be anyone to use the new building.
Fire Chief Stan Holden said the department is looking to recruit new fire cadets/paramedics.
He told commissioners Tuesday that he’s concerned about the number of firefighters who are leaving the Santa Fe County Fire Department to work for other fire departments in Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Rio Rancho.
In the past week, the county Fire Department lost at least six full-time firefighters, and Holden said he’s struggling to fill another six positions that were recently approved by the County Commission.
“The standards are high; the pay and benefits are low, and the pool of applicants (is) small,” Holden said, noting that not only is the county Fire Department facing shortages, but so are the sheriff’s and corrections departments.
The Fire Department has 20 full-time firefighters. The department relies to a large degree on its 300 volunteer firefighters to cover the county’s 2,000 square miles.
With a \ of 1 percent gross receipts tax approved last year, the county is expected to raise an estimated $9 million annually in new revenue to pay for at least 48 new firefighting positions, provide incentives for volunteers and possibly raise salaries.
But revenue generated from the tax won’t be available until October, Holden said.
Beginning pay for fire cadets in Santa Fe County is about $27,000 per year, while experienced firefighters who are also emergency medical technicians/paramedics are paid $45,000 to $50,000 per year.
Pay for cadets in the city of Santa Fe is $29,500 per year, while experienced firefighters are paid $42,000 to $56,000 per year.
In Rio Rancho, starting pay for a cadet is $30,000.
In terms of his recruiting effort, Holden said he’s ideally looking for young men and women who already have established connections in the area.
In the past, many firefighters employed by the department have chosen to live in Rio Rancho and Albuquerque and commute daily because it’s more affordable, Holden said.