Many residents may assume volunteer firefighters spend most of their time battling flames. Members of the Cerro-Latir Volunteer Fire Department say that is only a small part of what they do.
Less than 10 percent of emergency calls involve structure fires. The majority — between 75 and 80 percent — are medical emergencies, according to Sajit Greene of Latir Fire.
Volunteers also respond to mental health crises, vehicle crashes, wildland fires, search and rescue operations and natural disasters.
Local firefighters recalled calls over the years ranging from the unusual to the life-threatening: a persistent bear on someone’s porch, a missing child later found under a house holding a puppy and a hiker who collapsed from heat stroke while climbing out of the Rio Grande gorge. Firefighters may even arrive to find a triggered smoke alarm with no fire at all, or a motorist who struck an elk on the highway.
To handle such a broad scope of emergencies, volunteers undergo extensive and continuous training. Most of their service hours are spent learning — everything from hazardous materials response to medical aid, equipment maintenance and driving fire trucks. Training can be highly technical. A recent session titled “The Art of Reading Smoke” focused on how smoke color and movement can offer clues about fire behavior.
Firefighters also take on community education. During Fire Safety Month in October, the Cerro-Latir department hosted a family event to teach children about emergency preparedness. Young attendees met firefighters in full gear, toured an ambulance and practiced calling 911 with a dispatcher.
All responders are volunteers balancing service with regular jobs and family life. Overnight calls often end with volunteers reporting to their day jobs with little sleep. Emergencies interrupt family events, birthdays and dinners. Responders routinely face personal risk to protect neighbors and visitors.
“It takes a special kind of person to serve the community with this level of commitment,” Greene says. “Their dedication strengthens our community and helps ensure resiliency during crisis.”
Leaders say that commitment deserves respect, gratitude and support.
The Cerro-Latir Volunteer Fire Department is seeking new members, including both responders and auxiliary volunteers. Those interested can contact Chief Tyler Eshleman at lvfd.info@gmail.com.
“There’s a job for everyone on our team,” Greene said.
