SW New Mexico News

Doña Ana County Fire Rescue is set to honor the graduation of 17 firefighters who have successfully completed the rigorous requirements to become certified firefighters. The ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 5 at the Doña Ana Community College, East Mesa Campus Auditorium in Las Cruces, welcoming members of the public to join in the celebration.

According to the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress, each graduate has satisfactorily finished a 16-week-long Fire Academy course, earning them certification from the prestigious organization. These new firefighters are now equipped with a range of skills, including hazardous materials or hazmat awareness and operation, firefighter I and II training, emergency vehicle driving, auto extrication, wildland fires training, and Emergency Medical Training (EMT) obtained through an additional 8-week course.

The 17 graduates, who will be stationed across Doña Ana County, are named as Miguel Amaya, Rodolfo Avalos, Daniel Bonilla, Cristian Cepero, Bryan Cummings, Anthony De Herrera, Sergio Fernandez, Joseph Henry, Rafael Herrera, Nicholas Howie, Christopher Kohn, Naomi Loya, Edgar Medina, Angel Meza, Edgar Meza, Ryan Montez, and Mark Reyna.

This event marks a significant milestone for these individuals as they embark on their new roles within the County's Fire Rescue Department, ready to serve and protect the community.