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January 1 – March 31, 2026

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Message from Chief Jaramillo

Welcome to ABQ Fire

Thank you for your interest in Albuquerque Fire Rescue. There are a few easy steps to begin your process to becoming an Albuquerque firefighter.

STEP 1

Create a Profile on ABQFire.com and upload your required documents.

STEP 2

Follow instructions on your ABQFire.com profile. Once your profile is completed, you’ll be scheduled for your written exam.

STEP 3

Apply during Open Enrollment through governmentjobs.com. Open enrollment for the 106th Cadet Class begins January 1, 2026 and runs through March 31, 2026.

Join Us

become a firefighter

Open Enrollment Is Held Each Year. Set Up Your Profile Online Now And Get Notified When Open Enrollment Dates Are Advertised Online.

We are the 30th busiest fire department in the country. 777 uniformed personnel and our 23 fire stations are staffed with Firefighters working a 48/96 shift with daily minimum staffing of 210. Over one-third of the department’s fire stations require Firefighters with specialized training.

  • Register Your Profile on ABQfire.com

  • Complete Your Profile

  • Apply During Open Enrollment

Putting Out House Fire
LADDER OPS With Fire truck

Pay, Incentives, and Benefits

Pay, Incentives & Benefits (FY 2025 – 2027)

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.

Cadet Starting Pay

  • $21.30/hr for CADET – FF 3C Non-Paramedic

  • $23.28/hr for CADET – FF 3C Paramedic

  • $67,762/yr for FIREFIGHTER – FF 1C EMT-Basic

  • $77,488/yr for FIREFIGHTER – FF 1C Paramedic

How to Qualify

What Are The Requirements to Apply?

Once you have registered your profile, you’ll be notified when a position is available to submit your application. After submitting your application, it will be reviewed for completeness and verification of eligibility requirements.

CPAT

Valid Candidate Physical Ability Test Certification

Written Exam

Pass the AFR written examination

Oral Interview

Demonstrate qualifications at the Structured Oral Interview

Chief’s Selection

Selected candidates will be offered a position

FIREGROUND-OPS

Be Part of the Team

New Mexicans Helping New Mexicans

Albuquerque Fire Rescue is more than just an all-hazards fire department.

2026 106th Cadet Class
Hiring Schedule

The testing and selection process is designed to evaluate all applicants for the position of firefighter in the Albuquerque Fire Rescue. All requirements and steps in the process are mandatory.

All dates are subject to change without notice. Candidates hired with an EMS license (Basic, Advanced, Paramedic) will not be required to repeat the EMT-Basic course. They will instead participate in the 8-week academy prep period.

Out-of-Town Applicants

  • An applicant that lives 100 miles or greater from the City of Albuquerque may participate in the Out-of-Town Applicant hiring process. To reduce travel time and expense, applicants will be scheduled for consecutive days (see above) 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 have all documents, including a valid CPAT certificate that indicates successful completion of the Candidate Physical Ability Test, submitted by April 3, 2026. Failure to submit documents and obtain a valid CPAT certificate by the deadline will result in removal from the hiring process.

CPAT

  • All applicants must complete the CPAT or have a valid CPAT Completion Certificate dated within six (6) months prior to the document submission deadline (April 3, 2026). If you choose to obtain your CPAT certificate in New Mexico, you may contact: www.nmcpat.com
Application Process

January 1, 2026 – March 31, 2026

Document Submission Deadline for ALL Applicants (includes CPAT certificate)

April  3, 2026 Visit nmcpat.com to schedule CPAT.

Written Examination

April 6 – April 10, 2026 (Training Academy)

Out-of-Town Testing Process (Written Exam)

April 13, 2026

Structured Oral Interviews

April 14 – April 17, 2026

Fire Chief’s Selection

April  27 – May 1, 2026

City Approval Process

  • Psychological Evaluation
  • Physicals/Blood Draw
  • Drug Screen
  • Background Check

May 11 – May 29, 2026

Cadet Orientation

June 12, 2026

106th Cadet Class EMT Basic/ Academy Prep Program

July 13, 2026 – September 4, 2026 (8-week Curriculum)

106th Cadet Class Academy

September 8, 2026 – January 8, 2027 (18-week Curriculum)

Field Staffing for 106th Cadet Class

January 9, 2027

Careers – Training – Positions

Achieve Your Goals within ABQ Fire Rescue

Learn more about our career paths inside of Albuquerque Fire Rescue

Paramedic

Two options for Paramedic school paid for by the dept. Incentive pay and assignment differential. Get paid to go to school and improve your skills.

Fire Marshal

The mission of Albuquerque Fire Rescue’s Fire Marshal’s Office is to protect the lives and property Of Albuquerque residents and visitors with proactive fire inspections and public education programs.

Alarm Room

Literally answering the call! Our alarm room is one of very few in the country that are all sworn, uniformed firefighters. Learn to master our state- of-the-art C.A.D. system and be the difference.

Heavy Technical Rescue

Special skills training including: confined space rescue, trench/excavation rescue, advanced vehicle extrication, high-angle rescue, structural collapse rescue and much more!

Wildland

Members of the task force stations undergo many hours of training to prepare them for combating Wildland fire with ground and aerial suppression tactics. AFR also assists our fellow firefighting agencies in fighting Wildland fire in NM and neighboring states.

Arson Investigators

The Fire/Arson Investigation Division is a team of highly trained firefighters who are also certified law enforcement officers. The team investigates fires and fire related incidents to determine the best course of action.

Fire Training Academy

It all begins with education. The AFR Fire Training Academy is staffed with members who seek to master their skills and training and pass on that knowledge to the women and men who join our ranks. From cadets to officers, the Fire Training Academy sets the standard!

Tech Services

Fast, efficient and safe delivery of services is the gold standard for every fire department. Whether operating on the fireground or managing an EMS scene, the Tech Services Division ensures that our computer hardware and software are optimized for real-time information, reliable communication and system redundancy for any emergency.

HazMat Technician

Members of the taskforce are responsible for the management and safe termination of complex incidents involving hazardous materials, airplane crashes, train derailments, semi-trailers carrying chemicals as well as chemical use (and misuse) in the workplace and homes.

Passionate – Dedicated – Professional

Send us a message to get more information

Looking For More Information About AFR Or Fire Safety? Please Visit The CABQ Website To Learn More.

Call us for inquiry : Monday to Friday : 9 am – 5 pm

505-833-7300