Fire Department · Career
Ruidoso Fire Department
Ruidoso, NM · Lincoln County
Operates from four stations, including the dedicated Tom W. Jones Memorial Station, across the Village of Ruidoso.
The Ruidoso Fire Department is the municipal fire agency for the Village of Ruidoso, a mountain resort community in south-central New Mexico's Lincoln County. The department operates from four stations - Station 1 on Sudderth Drive, Station 2 on White Mountain Drive, Station 3 on Main Road, and the Tom W. Jones Memorial Station on Cree Meadows Drive - running a fleet that includes a ladder truck and multiple front-line and reserve engines. Beyond structural firefighting, the department handles rescue calls, emergency medical response, and year-round wildfire mitigation work in an area that borders national forest land and has seen major wildfire activity in recent years.
Ruidoso Fire operates under the 2021 edition of the International Fire Code, adopted by the Village Council in September 2023, and is led by Fire Chief Cade Hall and Assistant Fire Chief Austin Meuli. The department is also active in public-facing fire prevention, issuing seasonal burn restrictions, coordinating with New Mexico's Ready, Set, Go! wildfire program, and running community education and fire-pit inspection services alongside its emergency response mission.
MissionThe Village of Ruidoso Fire Department protects lives, property, and the environment from fire and other emergencies. They provide firefighting, rescue, and emergency medical services, as well as community education and prevention programs, ensuring a swift and effective response to incidents and promoting fire safety awareness within the community.
Ruidoso Fire Department positions are posted through the Village of Ruidoso's employment portal on GovernmentJobs.com alongside other Village departments; there were no fire department openings listed there as of this writing. As a Village employer, the department's hires fall under Village of Ruidoso Human Resources for pay, benefits, and onboarding, with the Fire Chief's office handling department-specific hiring.
Benefits
As Village of Ruidoso employees, department staff are eligible for the Village's benefits package, which HR describes as including competitive pay, health/dental/vision/life insurance, PERA retirement, longevity pay, specialized training, and advancement opportunities.
How do I apply for a job with Ruidoso Fire Department?
Openings are posted through the Village of Ruidoso's employment portal on GovernmentJobs.com, which lists all Village job categories including Fire. There were no fire department positions open as of this writing, so interested applicants should check back or contact the department directly.
How many stations does Ruidoso Fire Department operate?
The department runs four stations: Station 1 on Sudderth Drive, Station 2 on White Mountain Drive, Station 3 on Main Road, and the Tom W. Jones Memorial Station on Cree Meadows Drive.
What is Ruidoso Fire Department's ISO rating?
The department held a Class 2 ISO Public Protection Classification following its 2016 survey, but a May 2024 ISO survey and subsequent 1-year retrogression review moved it to a Class 3 rating as of December 2025. The department has published a retrogression plan covering hydrant testing, training documentation, dispatch, apparatus, and personnel staffing aimed at working back toward Class 2.
Who leads Ruidoso Fire Department?
The department is led by Fire Chief Cade Hall, with Austin Meuli serving as Assistant Fire Chief.