The 5 Major Ways The Santa Fe NM Fire Department Is Transforming Emergency Services In 2025
The Santa Fe Fire Department (SFFD) is currently undergoing a significant transformation, driven by strategic leadership, critical budget allocations, and a renewed focus on community-wide preparedness. As of late 2025, the department is actively implementing new policies and capitalizing on recent funding to address long-standing challenges like staffing shortages and the ever-present threat of wildfires in northern New Mexico. These efforts are reshaping how emergency medical services (EMS), fire suppression, and public safety are delivered across the City Different.
This deep dive into the SFFD reveals the most up-to-date operational shifts, financial priorities, and the faces leading the charge. From a streamlined lateral hiring process designed to fill critical vacancies to major investments in new equipment, the department is positioning itself for a more efficient and responsive future. The Santa Fe community is seeing direct benefits through enhanced services and a robust calendar of public safety and engagement events throughout the year.
The Leadership and Profile of Santa Fe Fire Chief Brian Moya
The strategic direction of the Santa Fe Fire Department is currently steered by Chief Brian Moya, a native New Mexican whose career is deeply rooted in the community he serves. His leadership has been instrumental in navigating the department through recent operational challenges and securing key funding for future growth.
Chief Brian Moya: A Biographical Snapshot
- Full Name: Brian Moya
- Origin: Born and raised in Galisteo, New Mexico.
- Education: Graduated from Capital High School in 1999.
- Career Start: Began his tenure with the City of Santa Fe Fire Department (SFFD).
- Current Role: Fire Chief, City of Santa Fe Fire Department.
- Tenure as Chief: Assumed the role following the retirement of former Chief Babcock, having served as Assistant Chief. He has held the Chief position for approximately three years, as of a 2025 reporting date.
- Key Initiatives: Championed a streamlined lateral hiring process to efficiently bring trained firefighters into the SFFD ranks, directly addressing staffing gaps.
Chief Moya’s commitment to the SFFD extends beyond emergency response; he has also focused on improving inter-departmental cooperation, notably by commenting on the improvements seen at the Regional Emergency Communications Center (RECC). His local roots and long history within the department provide a foundational understanding of Santa Fe’s unique safety needs, from urban fire suppression to the complexities of wildfire mitigation in the surrounding areas.
Operational and Financial Overhaul: Key 2025 SFFD Updates
The year 2025 has marked a period of significant operational and financial restructuring for both the City and County fire departments, ensuring resources are aligned with the growing demands of the region. These updates reflect a commitment to modernization, staffing stability, and equipment readiness.
Staffing Solutions and the Lateral Hiring Process
One of the most critical challenges facing fire departments nationwide is staffing, and the SFFD has taken aggressive steps to combat this. Under Chief Moya's leadership, the department implemented a streamlined lateral hiring process. This policy change is designed to attract already trained and certified firefighters from other jurisdictions, rapidly filling vacancies and reducing the strain on existing personnel. The success of this initiative is vital to maintaining the high level of service the community expects for both fire and EMS calls.
In a related development, the Santa Fe County Fire Department also presented its FY2026 budget requests, which included a specific plea for six new firefighter-EMTs. The County is also planning a comprehensive staffing study, indicating a regional focus on long-term personnel planning and optimization.
Fiscal Year 2025 Budget and Funding Wins
The FY 2025 Adopted Budget for the City of Santa Fe Fire Department confirms the financial commitment to the department's mission: to safeguard the Santa Fe community. This funding ensures the SFFD can adhere to state regulations, including those set by the New Mexico EMS Bureau and New Mexico State Statutes.
Key financial and infrastructure updates include:
- Equipment Upgrades: The SFFD secured a crucial $24,000 grant in November 2025. This funding was specifically earmarked for the purchase of new gas meters, replacing aging equipment that was failing to charge and calibrate correctly. This ensures firefighter safety during hazardous materials incidents.
- Infrastructure Investment: In April 2025, the New Mexico Senate introduced a legislative measure (Senate Bill 425) to extend funding and timelines for various public projects, including essential fire station renovations and construction for the Santa Fe County Fire Department.
Understanding the SFFD’s Reach: Stations and Services
The Santa Fe Fire Department’s ability to respond quickly and effectively hinges on the strategic placement of its fire stations and its dual-role capacity as both a fire and emergency medical services (EMS) provider. SFFD personnel are highly trained as both firefighters and EMTs or Paramedics, often receiving their Paramedicine education from institutions like the Santa Fe Community College.
City of Santa Fe Fire Station Locations (SFFD)
The city operates multiple stations to ensure rapid response times across all districts:
- Fire Station 1: 200 Murales Road
- Fire Station 3: 1751 Cerrillos Road
- Fire Station 4: 1130 Arroyo Chamiso
- Fire Station 7: 2391 Brenner Way
- Fire Station 8: (Location details available on the city's official site)
- Fire Station 5: Dedicated primarily for Training purposes (Siler location).
Santa Fe County Regional Stations
The Santa Fe County Fire Department maintains six fully staffed regional fire stations that operate 24/7/365, covering the broader county area, including the Agua Fria Regional station. This two-tiered system ensures comprehensive coverage for both urban and rural populations.
Community Safety and Engagement Initiatives in 2025
The SFFD places a high value on public education and engagement, recognizing that prevention is the first line of defense in community safety. Several high-profile events in 2025 demonstrate the department's commitment to interacting with residents of all ages.
Wildfire Preparedness and Mitigation Efforts
Given Santa Fe's proximity to the Santa Fe National Forest and the ongoing threat of wildland fires, Wildfire Mitigation remains a top priority. Throughout 2025, fuels reduction work, including controlled pile burns, continued through the winter months, an essential practice in reducing hazardous fuels.
Furthermore, the Santa Fe County Fire Department hosted a Wildfire Mitigation Community Day on May 24, 2025, at the Stan Holden Fire Station (Station 70). These educational events, often in partnership with the Office of Emergency Management, Sustainability, and Public Works, are crucial for informing residents about Wildfire Preparedness and creating defensible space around their properties.
Family-Friendly Public Outreach Events
The SFFD actively participates in several fun, educational community events, fostering trust and familiarity between firefighters and the public:
- Spray Downs: A popular summer event, the SFFD partnered with the Community Engagement Department to host "Spray Downs," such as the one held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Swan Park, offering a fun way for families to cool off.
- Back to School Bash: The department partners with the City of Santa Fe to host this annual event, which features community partners and provides resources for students returning to school.
- Fun with Firefighters: The SFFD maintains a monthly presence at the Santa Fe Children's Museum, offering story time and allowing children to visit and explore a fire truck, making safety education accessible and engaging.
The combined efforts in 2025—from the strategic leadership of Chief Moya and the success of the lateral hiring process to the crucial infrastructure funding and dedicated community outreach—underscore a fire department that is dynamic, forward-thinking, and deeply invested in the safety and well-being of the City Different and the surrounding county.
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