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Santa Fe County Fire Department graduates 10 from 24-week cadet academy, recognizes promotions
Summary
Santa Fe County Fire Department held a graduation ceremony for Cadet Class 18, marking completion of a 24-week academy by 10 new firefighter-EMTs, presenting awards and recognizing multiple promotions across regional and district ranks.
The Santa Fe County Fire Department on the morning of its graduation ceremony formally commissioned 10 new firefighter-EMTs after a 24-week academy and recognized promotions across both regional and district ranks.
Fire Chief Jacob Black told the graduates, "Today is the culmination of 24 weeks of demanding training, countless hours of study, and your commitment to excellence," and urged them to approach their duties "with compassion, professionalism, and honor." The ceremony included pinning of badges, an oath of office, presentation of a top-cadet award and a roll call of promoted personnel.
The graduating group began as 16 cadets and completed a curriculum the department described as including hazardous materials awareness and operations, emergency medical technician (basic) certification, CPR, emergency vehicle operations, vehicle extrication, Firefighter I and II, and rope rescue awareness and operations. The department said the cadets completed daily physical training and a regimented academy schedule. "The uniform that you wear today is a symbol of trust," Chief Black said. "Uphold the values of integrity, professionalism, and service in all that you do."
Chief Deputy Clerk Jennifer Wilson administered the oath of office, telling the new firefighters, "Please raise your right hand." Cody Danner, identified at the ceremony as the top cadet, said the award reflected academic scores, physical-training performance, disciplinary record and leadership, and thanked instructors, training captains and families for support. Class lead Fabian Duran spoke about teamwork and the personal challenges of the academy.
The department publicly listed the names of the newly graduated cadets and recognised department promotions. Graduates and names read aloud at the ceremony included Natalie Eric, Cody Danner, Fabian Duran, Avian Duran, Alizei Griegum, Leslie Luhan, Desiree Martinez and Noah Pena (others were called during the ceremony). The department also announced regional promotions and hires: Jared Potter (engineer), Danielle Veil (engineer), Gregory Brown (paramedic), Joseph Miller (paramedic), Veronica Folgate (secretary senior), Logan Colum (forestry tech, wildland), Joshua Hillman (forestry tech), Jose Ramirez (forestry tech), Reece Salisbury (forestry tech), David Zaxis (engineer), Robert Bell (station training captain), Matthew Loboto (lieutenant), Abel Perez (paramedic), Nicholas Wilding (paramedic), Christopher Bonhoeffer (station training captain), Abraham Cobb (lieutenant) and Daisy Graves (battalion chief of medical services). District recognitions announced included Holger Droyk (EMT Basic, Madrigal Fire District), personnel from Galisteo Fire District and Eldorado Fire District among others.
Training captains and staff were named and recognized for running the academy; Captains Jeremiah Sandoval, Kyle Gregory, Eutimio Ortiz and William Van Herb were singled out by department leadership. The ceremony closed with a class video and an invitation for photos and refreshments in the lobby.
The department emphasized that graduation marks the start of ongoing training: Chief Black told graduates their education "does not stop here," and noted firefighters should seek mentors and continue skill development. No formal board votes or policy actions were part of the ceremony.
