Eddy County hosts fire training for nearly 30 potential firefighters
Eddy County Fire and Rescue (ECFR) prepared more than 30 future volunteer firefighters with a fire training academy in early 2022.
ECFR Chief Joshua Mack said Eddy County’s 12 fire districts sought volunteers to cover more than 4,000 square miles of Eddy County not served by paid firefighters in the City of Carlsbad or the City of Artesia.
“That’s 30 more people that we hope we can get interest and activity out of,” he said.
Mack said the average age of Eddy County volunteer firefighters was 42 based on 2020 data.
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During the Jan. 18 Eddy County Board of County Commissioners meeting, Mack said a 2021 reorganization from Eddy County Fire Services to ECFR meant potential volunteers needed certification in specialized areas.
“We have multiple options. We have regular volunteer firefighter which (means), you’re going to get basic emergency medical services (EMS training), wildland fire training, driver-operator certification to be able to drive and operate the (fire) trucks,” Mack said.
He said training was conducted for hazardous materials awareness and Firefighter 1 and Firefighter 2.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Firefighter 1 covered basic fire service qualifications and Firefighter 2 involved specialized areas and fire command.
Mack said the current fire academy started in January and should conclude in May.
“We’ll take the summer to allow everybody to do their travel and we’ll do a fall academy as well. We’ve got to try and get everybody through these classes,” Mack said.
He said training classes were offered in northern and southern portions of Eddy County.
During the meeting, District 5 County Commissioner Sarah Cordova said recruiting measures undertaken by ECFR ensured fire and emergency safety for residents.
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“I just appreciate all the work you guys do,” she said.
The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DSHEM) welcomed Eddy County’s commitment to volunteer firefighters.
“The strength and commitment of New Mexico’s volunteer firefighters is vital to preventing and combating fires in our state, read a press statement from DSHEM.
“Many departments, especially those in rural areas, rely heavily on volunteers who stand ready to protect their communities when disaster strikes. And like the entire country, New Mexico has a critical need for new volunteers to oversee logistics, manage water supplies and support the countless other operations that enable our departments to fight fires."
Northern and southern departments get new trucks
Mack said two new fire trucks for the Sun Country Volunteer Fire Department in northern Eddy County and the Village of Loving to the south were going through final tests and adjustments before getting placed into service.
He said a new tanker for the Sun Country Volunteer Fire Department, west of Artesia, replaced an old tanker, which ECFR may renovate.
“What we’re trying to do is a two-for-one. So, if we get rid of two trucks, we can replace it with one. I believe it’s a 4,000-gallon tanker. So, it will service the Sun Country area,” Mack said.
He said a new fire engine for the Village of Loving was outfitted with various EMS and firefighting equipment.
“It will be able to do everything,” Mack said.
In June 2021, ECFR took over fire and emergency services in Loving after the New Mexico Fire Marshal’s Office placed the department on probation in 2018 for failure to submit reports to a nationwide data base.
Mack recommended consolidation with Eddy County in 2019 as the County tried to rebuild the Village’s fire department.
More: State agreement allows Eddy County Fire and Rescue communications upgrade and expansion
“Thank you for the work. It’s appreciated,” said District 1 County Commissioner Ernie Carlson who represents Loving and surrounding areas.
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Eddy County trains nearly 30 new volunteer firefighters
