On May 10, 2024, 18 members of the Albuquerque Fire Rescue (AFR) graduated from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine’s Emergency Medical Services Academy (EMSA) paramedic program. The cohort underwent a 10-month journey to attain the highest level of training in pre-hospital medical care, which included over 1,000 hours of didactic and lab instruction. Students also completed clinical rotations in local hospitals and field internships to apply their skills in dynamic situations.
“These responders have gone through countless hours of studying, training, and clinical experience so that they can deliver the highest level of care to Albuquerque’s families,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “This achievement is a testament to their hard work and commitment to serving our community.”
“Our goal is to make the patient's experience a positive one. Most people have very few interactions with EMS services. However, if they do, they will never forget it. They remember not only how they were treated clinically but also how they were treated personally. EMS may serve as their only access to care and we must take the responsibility seriously,” said EMS Division Chief Chris Ortiz. “We have a duty to be well-trained, well-educated and most importantly, be kind and compassionate in our service delivery. This new group of paramedics has shown that they possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to reflect these core values of our department.”
All AFR firefighters are trained to the Basic Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B) level. This qualifies them as healthcare professionals who can provide lifesaving measures such as Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), basic airway management, and bleeding control. Paramedics represent an advanced level of provider who can identify, interpret and treat potentially lethal cardiac rhythms, perform advanced airway techniques such as endotracheal intubation, and administer life-saving medications.
Congratulations to the following graduates for their invaluable service to Albuquerque Fire Rescue and the residents of our city:
Lieutenant Joseph Kandel
Lieutenant Alexander Kimball
Lieutenant John Hagan
Lieutenant Eric De La Torre
Lieutenant Adam Watts
Lieutenant Joseph Garcia
Driver Bastian Campbell
Driver Brennen Chambers
Driver Holly Huffines
Driver Derek Cravens
Firefighter Joseph Aragon
Firefighter Ernesto Gamboa
Firefighter Dylan Archibeque
Firefighter Brandon Lykins
Firefighter Taylor O’Connell
Firefighter Isaiah Selgado
Firefighter Jacob Autry
Firefighter Nicholas Trujillo
