The Sandoval County Optimist Club highlights a first responder each month, highlighting their community contributions.
Vincenzo Jaramillo always wanted to be a fireman. As a youth, with both his mother and step-father being firefighters, most family activities centered around the fire station. He took his emergency medical technician training (EMT) as a class in high school. Upon graduating from high school he enrolled in the firefighter academy in Farmington. Jaramillo has now been with the Sandoval County Fire Department for three and a half years.
Like other firefighter/EMTs he likes the comradery that develops among fellow shift workers. This stems from spending one-third of their lives together: 48 hours of working, eating, sleeping, and training in close proximity to one another while on shift, followed by four days off. On days off he spends time with family and friends, enjoys outdoor activities, and does weight and strength training. Physical fitness is a must. One hour a day of physical training is required while on shift, which is in addition to weekly training in firefighting and EMT skills.
Jaramillo’s opportunity to choose at which station and which shift he will work depends upon length of service. He currently works at station 43 in Placitas.
He has met a lot of great people in the fire department, and they work to do their best-even when it includes being awakened in the middle of the night to put on their gear and hit the road.
Jaramillo says would like the public to know that firefighters are people too. They are concerned about the people they help. Too often they never hear the outcome for people they have rescued and taken to the hospital. He would also like you to know that the fire station is always open to the public to come and visit.