The Town of Bernalillo’s fire and rescue department has matured from a volunteer department to a paid department, but that doesn’t mean there’s a shortage of volunteers. In fact, many new volunteers are much younger than in previous years.

The Town of Bernalillo Fire and Rescue Department was founded as a volunteer only station in 1948 and remained that way until June of 2007. Due to the increase in economic growth, population and fire rescue calls, the town’s officials decided that it was time the fire department had its own career staff. The town’s fire department currently employs six firefighters and one fire chief and is looking to grow, not only in career firefighters but in volunteers as well.

“I’m very excited for the fire department’s growth and for the town’s growth overall,” said Fire Chief John Estrada. “The progress that we have experienced would not have been doable without the support of Mayor Patricia A. Chávez and the town government.” Since becoming a combined fire department, Bernalillo has celebrated two fire academy graduations — the first in 2007 and the second in August of this year. Among the graduates of the second fire academy were local residents Vincent Gnodle, 18, and Eric Moreno, 17. Gnodle graduated as a volunteer firefighter and Moreno graduated as a junior volunteer firefighter.

This was no small task given a 50 percent average drop-out rate of fire academy cadets. Estrada interviews all fire academy participants. If accepted to the academy, cadets attend fire and EMT training courses every weekend for 10 months. During the training, cadets learn how to fight wild land fires, basic EMT skills, CPR, HazMat awareness and extrication. After nearly a year of training, the remaining cadets are tested by the state fire marshal in Santa Fe. Cadets must also pass a live-fire test and, if they pass, they receive a nationally recognized merit.

“Every year our fire cadets and academy get better and better,” said Estrada. “Everyone did really well at this year’s state testing and I’m very proud of all of our fire academy graduates.”

Gnodle has wanted to be a firefighter since he was a young boy. Even his mother remembers his drive to become a firefighter at an early age.

“In the first grade, local firefighters visited Vincent’s school and when he came home that day he told me he wanted to be a firefighter when he grew up,” said Vincent’s mom, Victoria Gnodle.

Gnodle found his chance to pursue his firefighting dream during his senior year of high school. During the town’s Christmas gathering last year, Vincent mentioned his aspirations to Chávez. She took his story to Estrada and after the initial interview with Gnodle, Estrada enrolled him in the town’s second fire academy.

The experience Gnodle has gained from being a volunteer firefighter has given him a new found confidence. Gnodle’s mother and Estrada have noticed a difference too.

“Being a firefighter has given me more confidence and I’m not as shy as I used to be,” said Gnodle. “I’ve wanted to be a firefighter forever and my plans are to make this my career.”

Moreno was also inspired early to become a volunteer firefighter. One of Moreno’s closest friends, James Estrada, Chief Estrada’s son, completed the first fire academy in 2007 and upon hearing stories of Estrada’s experiences at the academy and with the town’s fire department, Moreno considered becoming a junior firefighter himself. Upon completion of the initial interview with Chief Estrada, Moreno’s mind was made up and he registered for the second fire academy.

“With every call, there’s a swarm of butterflies in my stomach,” said Moreno. “But I enjoy helping people in my community and I want to make a career out of fighting fires and helping people.”

Moreno attends Bernalillo High School and also works as a Maytag repair person.

Gnodle graduated from Bernalillo High School in May and works as supervisor of the Youth Conservation Corps for the Town of Bernalillo. He attends EMT classes at CNM to fulfill his dream to become a career firefighter.

Chávez has always had a vision of getting the town’s youth involved in community service. She hopes to make that vision a reality by helping young people like Vincent and Eric realize their dreams.

“It excites me to see our young people getting involved and taking pride in their community,” said Chávez. “Vincent, Eric and James are setting a great example for their fellow peers and for younger generations as well.”