The Academy is dedicated to meeting the needs of a complex
and dynamic fire service by providing programs of the highest
quality. The New Mexico Firefighters Training Academy’s
objectives and goals are: (1) to provide training programs
designed to develop the basic and advanced skills necessary
for students to be more effective members of the fire service
and society; (2) to provide the best instruction and training
possible in all areas of the fire service; (3) to serve
the public at large by providing education services, training,
and counseling; and (4) to provide a means to allow firefighters
to demonstrate their ability to meet professional qualification
standards.
The New Mexico Firefighters Training Academy was created
as a part of the State Fire Marshal’s Office by legislative
action in 1987. A state-of-the-art facility was constructed
in Socorro, and its doors were opened to our state’s
firefighters in January 1989. The Academy is currently a
Bureau of the Public Regulation Commission’s Insurance
Division. The Academy’s mission is to meet the needs
of a complex and dynamic fire service by providing training
programs of the highest quality. The primary objective is
to develop the basic and advanced skills necessary for emergency
responders to best serve the citizens and guests of New
Mexico.
Approximately 4,000 first responders are trained each year
by the Academy’s permanent staff, guest instructors,
and a cadre of adjunct instructors from
fire departments throughout the state. Although the majority
of the students are members of the 367 fire departments
in the state, many come from other states, Indian Nations,
the private sector, and Mexico.
Currently, the Academy offers a broad array of fire-related courses ranging
from entry-level to advanced management for chief officers.
In addition to fire suppression classes, there are courses
in various technical rescue, hazardous materials, terrorist
response, instructor qualifications, and business management.
The Academy also provides courses in specialized training
through partnerships with the Federal Emergency Management
Agency and the National Fire Academy. Classes are conducted
throughout the state, as well as on the Socorro campus.
Some larger fire departments with their own local academies
also send their students to the state’s facility to
use the specialized burn props for the most realistic training
experience possible.
Courses are designed to meet standards created by the National
Fire Protection Association and to assist the local fire
departments in complying with mandatory training requirements
set by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Classes meeting
those standards provide the fire service with certification
programs to judge a firefighter’s ability and performance
level. The Academy’s certification programs are accredited
by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress.
In addition to assisting fire departments ability to provide qualified
emergency responders, the Academy’s efforts also benefit
the state’s citizens directly in regard to their insurance
costs. The cost of fire insurance for a local area is often
based on rating provided by the Insurance Services Organization.
Much of that rating decision relies on the ability of the
fire department to provide adequate response with fire suppression
capabilities and training records are reviewed in the grading
process.
For additional information about the Academy and the training
opportunities provided, please contact us at 1-800-734-6553.
