ABQ Times

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