Academy Welcomed by Area First Responders
ENMU-Ruidoso Recognizes Fire Academy Graduates
Front row, L-R: Lt. Alec Davis, Eugene Hopper, Sarah Perkins, Trenton Hall, Blake Temple. Back row, L-R: Tony Nanz, Kevin Torrez, Wesley Moore, Jimmy Bullock, Layson Powell, Tony Goetz, Assistant Fire Chief Austin Meuli and LCOES Coordinator Brian Samson.
ENMU-Ruidoso 2026 Fire & Rescue Academy students at a live burn exercise at the State Fire Marshal’s Academy in Socorro.
The Fire Academy graduates include:
Alto – Wesley Moore, employed at Bonito Fire Department; Christopher Halcomb, employed at Nogal Fire Department; Trenton Hall, employed at Ruidoso Fire Department.
Capitan – Sarah Perkins, employed at Nogal Fire Department.
Hondo – Eugene Hopper and Torrez, both employed at the Hondo Fire Department.
Nogal – Floyd Hobbs and Peter (Josh) Payan, who are both employed at the Nogal Fire Department.
Ruidoso – Mirissa Good, employed at the Ruidoso Fire Department; Blake Temple, employed at the Ruidoso Fire Department; Waylon Word who is employed at the Nogal Fire Department; Thomas (Tony) Goetz, employed at the Ruidoso Fire Department; JR Montoya, employed at the Nogal Fire Department; Jimmy Bullock, employed at the Bonito Fire Department; Layson Powell, employed at the Ruidoso Fire Department.
Tularosa – Stetson Lewis, employed at the Mescalero Fire Department.
Fire Academy Graduate Jimmy Bullock said, “This program is huge for area volunteer firefighters and for me. As a volunteer firefighter with a full-time job, I would have to go to Socorro for two weeks to get these certifications, which is not doable. With this training, I can serve my community so much better. Thank you to everyone at ENMU-Ruidoso who had a hand in the Metallica grant to allow this training to be offered right here at home.”
The Fire & Rescue Academy was made possible because ENMU-Ruidoso was selected as one of 15 nationwide recipients to join Year 7 of the prestigious Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI). Supported by a generous $75,000 grant aimed at enhancing the non-credit wildland and structural fire academies and credit-bearing Fire Science degree pathway.
All Within My Hands (AWMH), the non-profit, philanthropic organization created by the members and management of the rock band Metallica, last fall announced the 7th year of its Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) with its largest grant to date, totaling approximately $3M. MSI now has a presence in 75 colleges across all 50 United States and Guam, and is expected to reach approximately 10,000 students.“The grant funds were used to reduce cost barriers for students by covering tuition, PPE, and required supplies, which are often cost-prohibitive for rural and underserved populations. Funds supported personalized academic coaching, tutoring, and study sessions that helped the students succeed in rigorous coursework. Additionally, students benefitted from structured test preparation for national certification exams such as National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) and International Fire Service Accreditation
(IFSAC), ensuring they were well-positioned for credential attainment. Career navigation services included advising, resume and interview coaching, and facilitated connections to local, tribal, state, and federal fire service employers. This comprehensive support enables more students not only to enter training programs, but also to persist through challenges, complete certifications, and transition successfully into the fire and emergency services workforce,” said Mowery.
This initiative directly served:
- Volunteer firefighters who sought foundational certification and advancement
- Recent high school graduates pursuing public safety careers through degree and non-degree pathways
- Dual credit high school students seeking early entry into fire service pathways and industry-aligned credentials
- Rural residents and tribal community members who face geographic and economic barriers to training access
- Veterans and career changers entering fire service with transferable skills
- Current first responders and emergency personnel seeking upskilling, advanced certifications, or academic credit for prior learning to improve their professional mobility and leadership readiness
“These funds directly supported 27 students through scholarships, enrollment in our new short-term fire academies, and expanded student support services,” said Vice President of Student Learning and Success Coda Omness.
The increasing frequency and severity of wildfires across New Mexico and the western U.S. have placed an overwhelming strain on local firefighting resources. Volunteer departments, which make up nearly 70% of fire response capacity statewide, are underfunded, understaffed, and lack consistent access to accredited training. This shortage is even more pronounced in rural and tribal communities where geography and budgetary constraints limit workforce development. In addition to the urgent need for volunteer firefighters, there is a growing demand for qualified federal and state fire personnel at the state and national levels. Agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and New Mexico State Forestry are facing critical workforce shortages, impacting response times and fire mitigation efforts. Our proposal directly addresses this crisis by offering accessible, scalable training that strengthens both the volunteer pipeline and the broader state and federal emergency response infrastructure
To learn more about ENMU-Ruidoso’s programs, visit the website at https://ruidoso.enmu.edu/ or call the College at 575-315-1120. Enrollment is currently underway for summer and fall classes. ENMU-Ruidoso’s mission is to enhance the lives of our students and the communities we serve now and into the future.
