Become a Firefighter

Albuquerque Fire Rescue has an obligation to maintain a highly effective and disciplined workforce that reflects the diverse character of our community. Our success depends on a hiring process that reflects high organizational standards, has a high level of professional integrity, and is absent of political influences.

View the process for applying and preparing to apply below.

Apply to Albuquerque Fire Rescue

1 | Check Eligibility

Before you apply, view the eligibility requirements and disqualifications.

Eligibility Requirements

2 | Prepare Portfolio

Before you apply, prepare and complete certification and licensing requirements and compile required documents. Must be obtained and submitted for approval prior to being scheduled for any testing sessions.

Learn about Required Tests & Documents

3 | Apply During Open Enrollment & Get Notifications

Learn about how to apply during Open Enrollment and how to receive notifications and information before Open Enrollment.

Learn about Open Enrollment & Apply

5 | Check Hiring & Testing Schedule

If your application is selected, view dates for document submission deadlines, testing, interviews, orientation, Cadet Class start date, and graduation.

View Tests & Schedule Information

6 | View Pay, Incentives, and Benefits

Albuquerque Fire Rescue offers one of the most robust, comprehensive pay, benefits and retirement packages in the entire fire service! We want the best and, with the support of a strong labor union, we have built tremendous value and practicality into the benefits afforded to every one of our members.

View Benefits

7 | Out-of-Town Applicants

Applicants who live 100 miles or more from the City of Albuquerque may participate in the Out-of-Town Applicant Examination Week.

View Out of Town Information

Eligibility

Before you get started, review the mandatory requirements and disqualifications to become a firefighter with AFR.

• Must be at least 18 years of age by the end of the Open Enrollment (Application) period.
• Must be a High School Graduate or equivalent.
• Must be a US Citizen or Legal Resident.
• Males under the age of 25 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license
  • Out-of-state applicants must obtain a New Mexico driver's license within 30 days of being hired.
• Possession of or obtain a valid Class E New Mexico driver's license by graduation date from the Academy.
• Must not have committed any act(s) in their background that would indicate a lack of personal integrity or morality on the part of the applicant.
• Must not intentionally or unintentionally omit facts during any part of the background investigation.
• Must not have a noticeable pattern of traffic arrests, citations, and/or convictions within the last 3 years. Examples are: stop sign violations, red light violations, reckless driving, speeding, parking tickets and careless driving.
• Must not have a history of unsatisfactory employment.
• Must not have a history or chronic recurring financial problems indicating an unwillingness or inability to live within his/her financial means. Those who have filed for bankruptcy will not necessarily be disqualify. Cannot be in collections for $500 or more.
• Must have had an Honorable Discharge, General Discharge under Honorable Conditions, as stipulated in the DD-214. All other Discharge dispositions, with the exception of a Dishonorable Discharge, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Must not have been convicted of any misdemeanor violation within the last 3 years. A misdemeanor violation that an applicant did commit in his/her past, but not within the past 3 years, will be looked at on a case-by-case basis. A felony conviction will automatically disqualify an applicant. Cannot have been convicted of Domestic Violence.
• Will be disqualified if they have had a conviction or any admittance of guilt for driving under the influence of alcohol within the last 5 years or have committed multiple DWIs within the last 10 years whether from an administrative sanction by the Motor Vehicle Department, a criminal conviction or any admittance of guilt or by military disciplinary action.
• Must not have used any illegal drug that would amount to a misdemeanor crime if found in possession within the last 3 years.
  • Exception: an applicant must not have used marijuana within the last two years. An applicant must not have used an illegal drug which would amount to a felony crime if found in possession within the last 5 years.

Required Documents & Certification

Candidate Physical Ability Test Certification (CPAT) Information

It is not mandatory to possess a valid CPAT to apply. It is mandatory to possess and submit a valid CPAT before testing.

• Eligibility requirements include a valid CPAT that must be obtained and submitted for approval prior to being scheduled for the Written Examination and Structured Oral Interview.
• View the Hiring Schedule for deadlines.
• Visit nmcpat.com for more information and how to schedule a test.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) License Information

It is not mandatory to possess an EMT license to apply.

• Applicants who do possess a current State or National Registry EMT license at the basic level or higher may be given hiring preference.
• Candidates hired without an EMT license will attend an additional 8-week, expedited EMT-Basic course immediately following the 18-week cadet academy.
• If applicants are not New Mexico licensed but are Nationally Registered EMTs and/or Paramedics and are selected as cadets, they will be required to complete the reciprocity process and acquire a State of New Mexico EMT license by graduation from the Academy.
• Contact any New Mexico College or University like Central New Mexico Community College or the University of New Mexico's EMS Academy at (505) 272-5757 To enroll in an EMT Basic Course.
• View the Hiring Schedule for deadlines.

Apply Online During Open Enrollment: Date To be Announced

We look forward to meeting you and working with you during the application process!

During Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment is the open time to apply each year. Eligible candidates are required to submit an online application during open enrollment. Once you have submitted your application, it will be reviewed for completeness and verification of eligibility requirements. During Open Enrollment, you can submit your portfolio electronically when you apply online or in person to the Albuquerque Fire Training Academy. For document submission and inquiries, please email Ashley Romero: [email protected].

Apply Online

Before Open Enrollment

Not currently Open Enrollment? Register with AFR between Open Enrollment times to register your interest in becoming a firefighter and get notifications of current and upcoming Open Enrollment.

Register with Albuquerque Fire Rescue

Find out about Open Enrollment and other AFR news on social media.

Hiring & Testing Schedule

If accepted, applicants are notified and scheduled for the following:

1. Written Entrance Examination
2. Structured Oral Interview
3. Written Psychological Exam
4. Psychological Assessment

Those who provide a valid CPAT certificate, pass the Written Entrance Examination and the Structured Oral Interview are eligible for selection by the Fire Chief Selection Committee. As part of our commitment to the community, candidates selected by the Fire Chief’s Selection Committee must pass a physical examination, drug screening, back ground investigation, written psychological exam, and psychological assessment prior to beginning the cadet class.

Note: When checking in to all scheduled testing sessions, applicants must have proper government issued identification and current EMS license on their person and be on time. Applicants who are late or do not have proper identification will not be admitted for testing.

View the Current Hiring Schedule

Written Examination

The written examination is 100 multiple choice questions to measure the skills and abilities needed to succeed as a firefighter, including: listening comprehension, mathematics, mechanical reasoning, language mechanics, and reading comprehension.

Take the Practice Written Exam

Structured Oral Interview

The Structured Oral Interview panel allows candidates to demonstrate their personal qualifications, training, experience, attitude, and personal attributes.

Fire Chief Selection Committee

Character must come first.

As part of our commitment to the community, candidates selected by the Fire Chief’s Selection Committee must pass a physical examination, drug screening, back ground investigation, written psychological exam, and psychological assessment prior to beginning the cadet class.

For all candidate who pass, the following criteria is then considered for Fire Chief Selection Committee:

• Communication Skills - Listens, Articulate, Courteous, Kind
• Integrity - Honest, Trustworthy, Reliable, Accountable
• Physical Fitness - Abile to perform the physical tasks
• Adaptability - Works through stress
• Dedication - Loyal, Passionate, Proud, Has Heart and Desire, Driven, Competent, Good Work Ethic
• Team Work
• Mechanical Aptitude - Technical Problem Solver
• Understanding - Public Image and Trust
• Responsibility - Acts without constant supervision
• Accountability - Holds oneself accountable
• Self-Discipline
• Tolerance - Understanding, Compassionate, Level-headed
• Self-Sacrifice - Courageous, Giving

Out-of-Town Applicants

Applicants who live 100 miles or more from the city of Albuquerque may participate in the Out of Town Applicant Examination Week and will be scheduled to take the Written Examination and Structured Oral Interview.

Each applicant must pass each element of the hiring process before proceeding to the next portion of the hiring process. Failure of any one element will result in removal from the hiring process.

Out-of-town applicants must provide a certificate that indicates successful completion of the Candidate Physical Ability Test when reporting for the Written Examination. The CPAT must have been completed within six (6) months prior to the date of the Written Examination. For testing in New Mexico please visit nmcpat.com. For more information on finding a CPAT test site outside of New Mexico, please visit the National Testing Network.

Out-of-state applicants must obtain a New Mexico driver's license within 30 days of being hired.

If applicants are not New Mexico licensed, but are Nationally Registered EMTs and/or Paramedics and are selected as cadets, they will be required to complete the reciprocity process and acquire a State of New Mexico EMT license by graduation from the academy.