Join.
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.
Start the process of becoming an Albuquerque Firefighter by registering your profile.
2025 104th 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.
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.
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2025 104th Cadet Class Applicant Hiring Schedule |
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| Application Process | December 21, 2024 – March 21, 2025 |
| Document Submission Deadline for ALL Applicants (includes CPAT certificate)
Visit nmcpat.com to schedule CPAT. |
March 21, 2025 |
| Written Examination | March 31, 2025 – April 4, 2025 (Training Academy) |
| Out-of-Town Testing Process (Written Exam) | April 21, 2025 (Training Academy) |
| Structured Oral Interviews | April 22 – April 25, 2025 (ABQ Convention Center) |
| Cadet Orientation | June 6, 2025 |
| 104th Cadet Class Start Date | August 11, 2025 |
| 104th Cadet Class Graduation & Field Staffing for EMT’s 104th Cadet Class Graduation & Field Staffing for non-EMT’s (after successful completion of 8-week EMT-Basic course) |
December 12, 2025
February, 21, 2026 |
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 March 21, 2025. 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 (March 21, 2025). If you choose to obtain your CPAT certificate in New Mexico, you may contact: www.nmcpat.com
Notice
All dates are subject to change without notice.
STARTING PAY
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 – FF 3C (19 week training academy) Non-Paramedic | $17.70/hr (40 hr work week) |
| CADET – FF 3C (19 week training academy) Paramedic | $21.63/hr (40 hr work week) |
| PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTER – FF 2C (First year post cadet training) EMT-Basic/I | $37,629.28 + $3,058.38 paid holidays = $40,687.66 annual salary |
| PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTER – FF 2C (First year post cadet training) Paramedic | $44,285.92+ $3,528.72 paid holidays = $47,814.64 annual salary |
| FIREFIGHTER – FF 1C EMT-Basic/I |
$59,870.72 + $4,811.04 paid holidays = $64,681.76 annual salary |
| FIREFIGHTER – FF 1C Paramedic |
$62,491.62 + $5,023.98 paid holidays = $67,513.16 annual salary |
Need more Incentive?
- Paramedic Assignment Pay Incentive ~ 9.5% pay increase upon assignment to an ALS unit or position with an additional 3.5% pay increase when assigned to a transport capable ALS unit
- Wildland Pay Incentive ~ $32.50 per month
- Bilingual Skill Pay ~ $20.00 per month
- Academic Reimbursement Plan ~ Receive up to $1,800 per year towards your college tuition!
- Academic Incentive Pay ~ For every college credit earned we’ll pay you $1 per month! (60 credit hours=$60 a month)
- *Incentives are available after successful completion of probationary year*
- Interested in becoming a paramedic? Albuquerque Fire Rescue offers two options for paramedic school to eligible AFR employees.
University of New Mexico – 10 month accelerated program sponsored by the University of New Mexico. 40 hour work week. We pay you to become a licensed paramedic!
Central New Mexico Community College – 15 month, 5 term in-person program, with a hybrid option. Full time course, 40 hours per week. Awarded AAS degree upon successful completion. We pay you to become a licensed paramedic!
LONGEVITY PAY
All members who serve at least 5 consecutive years with AFR will receive longevity pay. This supplement is paid monthly and is applied towards your highest 5 year earnings.
- 5 -7 years = $2,340 annually
- 8 – 11 years = $3,250 annually
- 12 – 14 years = $4,160 annually
- 15 – 17 years = $6,240 annually
- 18 – 21 years = $13,130 annually
- 22 – 24 years = $14,430 annaully
- 25 years and above = $16,770 annually
WELCOME TO ABQ FIRE
Check.
THE MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS.
Before you apply to become a firefighter with Albuquerque Fire Rescue, you must meet the mandatory requirements.
01. AGE.
Must be at least 18 years of age by the end of the Open Enrollment (Application) period.
02. EDUCATION.
Must be a High School Graduate or equivalent
Must be a United States Citizen or Legal Resident.
Males 25 years old and younger must be registered for Selective Service.
03. CERTS.
Must possess 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 have the ability to obtain a valid Class E New Mexico driver’s license by graduation from the academy.
Must have a Valid Candidate Physical Ability Test Certification (CPAT) obtained and submitted for approval prior to being scheduled for any testing sessions. Log in to nmcpat.com to schedule a CPAT test or choose other options for CPAT administration by logging in to https://nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/cpat_info.cfm
It is not mandatory to possess an EMT license to apply for employment with Albuquerque Fire Rescue. Applicants who do possess a current State or National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (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 19-week cadet academy.
Team.
HOW TO QUALIFY.
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.
01. CPAT.
Eligibility requirements include a Valid Candidate Physical Ability Test Certification obtained and submitted for approval prior to being scheduled for any testing sessions.
Log in to nmcpat.com to schedule a CPAT test.
Candidates may also choose other options for CPAT administration by logging in to https://nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/cpat_info.cfm
If accepted, the applicant is notified and scheduled for the following steps.
02. WRITTEN EXAM.
The written examination is designed to measure the skills and abilities needed to succeed as a firefighter. The written examination consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. Skills and abilities measured include listening comprehension, mathematics, mechanical reasoning, language mechanics, and reading comprehension.
The link below is a twenty-five-question practice exam with example items that represent the 6 dimensions you will encounter on the actual exam.
03. ORAL INTERVIEW.
After you pass the written exam, you’ll be scheduled for an oral interview. The Structured Oral Interview panel allows candidates to demonstrate their personal qualifications, training, experience, attitude, and personal attributes.
Skills.
FIRE CHIEF SELECTION.
Once all candidates have passed all phases of Albuquerque Fire Rescue’s hiring process, the candidates names are placed alphabetically onto a qualification matrix consisting of criteria considered during the selection process.
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.
CHARACTER MUST COME FIRST.
Albuquerque Fire Rescue has an obligation to our community to maintain a highly effective and disciplined workforce that reflects the diverse character of our community. Our success is dependent on administering a hiring process that reflects high organizational standards, has a high level of professional integrity, and is absent of bias or political influence.
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.