Become a Firefighter in New Mexico

New MexicoBecoming a firefighter can be one of the most exciting and interesting job opportunities in the world. If you live in New Mexico and you want to have a job that offers new challenges every day, then becoming a firefighter is a great choice.

How to Become a Firefighter in New Mexico

Depending on where you want to live and work as a firefighter in New Mexico, you may find that departments have different requirements. In Albuquerque, candidates need to be at least 21 years old by the end of open enrollment. They will also need to have either a high school diploma or a GED, and they have to be a citizen or a legal resident. In addition, they will need to have a valid and permanent State of New Mexico Emergency Medical Technician license by the end of open enrollment.

Featured Schools:

Anna Maria CollegeOnline BS in Fire Science
Eastern Oregon UniversityOnline FSA Degree
Southern New Hampshire UniversityOnline Degrees in Criminal Justice

Those who want to become firefighters will also need to attend training academies and schools to get the skills they need. In Albuquerque, the Albuquerque Fire Academy Cadet training programs are where you will learn your skills. You can contact departments in other areas of the state to learn their requirements as well as where you can get training. After finishing the training, new firefighters are going to be on probationary status for a period before they are full members of a fire department.

Employment Trends for Firefighters

Finding employment as a firefighter in New Mexico can be difficult, as most departments do not hire often. Once someone becomes a firefighter, they usually stay with the job until they retire. When those jobs do become available, a number of people will be clamoring to fill the position. If you take a few steps to improve yourself by attending colleges that offer fire science degrees, you can look better during the hiring process.

Salary and Employment Facts

The salary for firefighters working in New Mexico is $51,000 per year, which is about 11% lower than the national average for this career. Still, the salary combined with the benefits is quite good.

Firefighter Activity in the News

Firefighters do more than just risk their lives when they are fighting fires. They truly care about their fellow firefighters, as evidenced by the five New Mexico firefighters who won $10,000 in the Mega Millions lottery. They donated a portion of their winnings to help one of their friends who is in need of brain surgery.