Kirtland AFB Fire & Emergency Services

10/29/2026

🚒 Celebrating 24 Years of Dedicated Service! 🚒

Today, Kirtland AFB Fire & Emergency Services had the honor of celebrating the retirement of Carl Ficik, who has proudly served our department and the Kirtland community for 24 years!

Carl began his career at Kirtland AFB in 2002, and throughout the years, he has witnessed countless changes in the fire service, advancements in equipment and technology, and the evolution of our department’s mission. Through it all, his dedication, experience, and wealth of knowledge have made a lasting impact on the firefighters and personnel who have had the privilege of working alongside him.

During today’s retirement celebration, Carl and his wife were recognized with certificates of appreciation and service. Carl was also presented with a ceremonial department fire axe and a department photograph signed by the crews as a token of our gratitude and appreciation for his years of commitment.

Carl, thank you for 24 incredible years of service, leadership, mentorship, and dedication to protecting our military personnel, families, and community. Your knowledge, experience, and contributions to Kirtland AFB Fire & Emergency Services will not be forgotten.

As you close this chapter and begin the next, we wish you and your family nothing but happiness, good health, and many new adventures.

🚒 Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement, Carl! Once a firefighter, always a firefighter. You will always be part of the Kirtland Fire family! 🇺🇸

10/28/2026

🚒✈️ MISSION READY | AIRCRAFT EMERGENCY RESPONSE 🇺🇸🔥

Last night, Kirtland Air Force Base Fire & Emergency Services crews responded to another aircraft emergency involving a military aircraft, an HC-130 experiencing engine-related issues.

Fire crews immediately responded and positioned themselves on standby, prepared to provide aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) operations and emergency medical assistance if needed.

Fortunately, the aircraft landed safely without incident, and no emergency intervention was required.

🚒 PROTECTING THOSE WHO SERVE AND FLY

Kirtland AFB Fire & Emergency Services proudly provides Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) protection at Albuquerque International Sunport, supporting both military and civilian aviation operations.

Our firefighters undergo specialized training to maintain operational readiness for aircraft emergencies, including aircraft fire suppression, rescue operations, emergency medical response, and aircraft familiarization.

These incidents highlight the importance of continuous training, preparedness, and the ability to respond at a moment’s notice. While we always hope for a safe landing, our crews remain ready to act when seconds count.

We are proud of our firefighters and their unwavering commitment to protecting military personnel, flight crews, passengers, and the aviation community.

🇺🇸 One Mission. One Team. Always Ready.

10/28/2026

🚒✈️ EMERGENCY RESPONSE | TEAMWORK IN ACTION 🚒✈️

Yesterday, Kirtland Air Force Base Fire & Emergency Services received an emergency notification from the Albuquerque International Sunport Air Traffic Control Tower regarding a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 experiencing an engine-related issue.

Kirtland Fire & Emergency Services crews immediately responded, with Albuquerque Fire Rescue (AFR) also dispatched to provide additional emergency response support.

Thankfully, the aircraft landed safely without further incident.

👏 We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to our mutual aid partners from Albuquerque Fire Rescue for their rapid response, professionalism, and continued support.

Responding AFR units included:
🚒 Battalion 1
🚒 Engine 3
🚒 Rescue 3
🚒 Ladder 1
🚒 Squad 2
🚒 Rescue 11
🚒 Engine 11
🚒 Engine 2

Strong partnerships, coordinated emergency response, and continuous readiness are essential to protecting lives and ensuring aviation safety.

Kirtland AFB Fire & Emergency Services and Albuquerque Fire Rescue work hand in hand at the Albuquerque International Sunport, demonstrating the importance of interagency cooperation and our shared commitment to providing the highest level of emergency services to military personnel, airline passengers, and the surrounding community.

One Mission. One Team. Committed to Safety and Readiness! 🇺🇸🚒✈️

10/20/2026

🚒🔥 Pride, Professionalism, and Mission Readiness! 🇺🇸

A few weeks ago, the dedicated men and women of Kirtland Air Force Base Fire & Emergency Services came together for an official department photo shoot in support of our social media outreach and upcoming recruitment video!

This was a great opportunity to showcase the firefighters, emergency responders, and professionals who work tirelessly around the clock to protect our military personnel, civilian workforce, families, and the vital missions of Kirtland AFB.

We would like to extend a special thank you to the 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office and the 58th Special Operations Wing (SOW) for their outstanding support and assistance in making this project possible. Your partnership helps us highlight the dedication, teamwork, and professionalism of our department.

One Team. One Mission. Always Ready! 🚒🇺🇸

10/20/2026

🚒 Honoring a Dedicated Team Member – Farewell and Best Wishes to Javier Murillo! 🇺🇸🇩🇪

Behind every successful fire department is a team of dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to ensure our firefighters have the equipment, supplies, and resources needed to accomplish the mission.

Today, we would like to recognize and extend our sincere appreciation to Javier Murillo, who served as our Logistics Officer.

Javier played a vital role in our department’s daily operations, managing purchase requests, coordinating essential supplies, and ensuring our fire stations remained stocked and ready to support emergency operations. His hard work, dedication, and attention to detail helped keep our crews mission-ready and focused on protecting the lives and property of those we serve.

Javier and his family have recently relocated to Germany after his wife accepted an exciting overseas position. While we are excited for this new chapter in their lives, his departure leaves some big shoes to fill.

Javier, thank you for your dedication, professionalism, friendship, and the countless contributions you made to our department. Your work behind the scenes never went unnoticed, and your presence will truly be missed by everyone who had the privilege of working alongside you.

From your entire fire department family, we wish you and your family nothing but success, happiness, and unforgettable adventures in Germany!

🚒 Once part of the fire service family, always part of the family!

Thank you for everything, Javier. Stay safe, and best wishes on your next adventure! 🇺🇸🇩🇪

10/15/2026

10/15/2026

🚒🔥 TRAINING TODAY FOR TOMORROW’S EMERGENCIES! 🔥🚒

Kirtland AFB Fire & Emergency Services – Training, Readiness, and Mission Excellence!

Today, our firefighters took advantage of a valuable training opportunity at the Air Force Inns, sharpening their skills and strengthening operational readiness to ensure they are prepared to respond when emergencies occur.

Crews conducted hands-on training in several critical areas, including:

🚨 Elevator Rescue Operations – Reviewing procedures and techniques for safely rescuing individuals trapped in elevators.

🏢 Building Familiarization – Gaining valuable knowledge of the facility’s layout, access points, and potential hazards to improve emergency response capabilities.

🔥 Search and Rescue Operations – Conducting realistic search and rescue scenarios using specialized mask inserts designed to simulate smoke-filled, low-visibility conditions. This challenged firefighters to rely on their training, teamwork, and communication to safely navigate and locate potential victims.

Realistic training builds confidence, strengthens teamwork, and enhances mission readiness. These opportunities are essential to ensuring our firefighters remain prepared to protect the lives and property of our military members, their families, and everyone who lives, works, or visits Kirtland Air Force Base.

👏 A special thank you to Air Force Inns General Manager Mrs. Lyons and her entire staff for graciously allowing our crews to utilize their facility for this important training. Your support and partnership directly contribute to our department’s ability to maintain the highest level of emergency response readiness.

Train Like We Fight. Ready to Respond. Committed to Excellence. 🚒🇺🇸

10/10/2026

As Fire Prevention Week comes to a close, we want to remind everyone about the risks of lithium-ion batteries and how to take steps to safely charge your devices.

NFPA has published safety tip sheets and other resources to help educate our communities on the importance of battery safety. Get the free resources here: https://s.3m.com/zmvulz0e

10/09/2026

🚒🔥 COME VISIT KIRTLAND AFB FIRE & EMERGENCY SERVICES! 🔥🚒

Our Fire Prevention Team and Fire & Emergency Services crews are out at the Kirtland AFB Base Exchange (BX) today until 12:30 PM!

👨‍🚒 Stop by, meet your local firefighters, learn about fire safety, and pick up some awesome fire prevention goodies for you and the kids! 🎁🚒

This is a great opportunity for families to interact with the firefighters who proudly serve and protect the Kirtland AFB community every day.

🚨 IMPORTANT FIRE & LIFE SAFETY REMINDER! 🚨

If you have an EMERGENCY on Kirtland AFB, dial:

📞 (505) 853-9111

💡 FIRE PREVENTION TIP: Don’t wait until an emergency happens! Take a moment today to save 853-9111 in your cell phone contacts as “Kirtland AFB Emergency.” Having this number readily available can save valuable seconds when every second counts!

🔥 Fire Prevention Starts With YOU!

We look forward to seeing everyone! Stay safe, Kirtland!