Taos Canyon and the Rio Fernando Fire District depend upon the volunteer efforts of members of the community.

Ways To Support Your Local Volunteer Fire Department:

Become a Firefighter - We are looking for dedicated individuals to become members of our department. Because of the low population density in our area, RFFD is always in need of more personnel. To learn about becoming an active firefighter, contact us by phone 575-751-1608 or e-mail rffd@rffd.org or drop by our weekly Tuesday 7pm training drills.

Emergency Medical - All members of the Rio Fernando Fire Department have the opportunity to train in providing medical care.

Financial Support - Community donations have allowed our department to purchase needed EMS and fire equipment including our Automatic Emergency Defibrillators (AED). Having an AED instantly on scene substantially increases the survival and recovery rate of heart attack victims. This is just one example of how your financial support protects you and the members of your community.

Donations may be sent to:
Rio Fernando Fire District
26566 US Highway 64 East
HC71 Box 91-L
Taos, NM 87571

Donations of Goods and Services for Auction - At least twice each year, RFFD holds benefit fundraiser auctions of donated art, jewelry, or other items. All donations of such items are sincerely appreciated. All funds from the sale of these items go to serve you, the members of our community.

Special Skills - If you have special skills, resources, or talent that you would like to donate in service to your community, let us know that you are available as a resource. Examples of such skills might include, but are by no means limited to electrical, grant writing, heavy equipment, ownership of a substantial water supply, construction, food preparation, or just about anything else useful that you can think of. It's the members of our community and their active support that make RFFD a great department. Edie Whitson heads up our support group.

Educate Yourself - The greatest support that a fire department can receive from a community is daily dedication to fire safety and prevention. You can learn about fire safety from our website, from our occasional public education events, by scheduling a free-of-charge fire department analysis of your property, or by contacting us for fire education literature available at our station. Fire awareness has increased dramatically since the department began. There are far fewer structural fires in the area than in the past, and the quick calls by our community members who are on the lookout have made it easier and easier for us to control wildland fires by attacking them quickly before they spread.

Whether you want to be on the front lines or help in the background, we can use your support. Please contact us!