Chimayo Volunteer Fire District

The Chimayo Fire District is situated in the northeast corner of Santa Fe County, adjacent to National Forest land, and has been responsible for providing fire and emergency medical services for both Santa Fe and Rio Arriba Counties, assisting both Espanola EMS and Rio Arriba County Fire Department. Serving the communities of Chimayo, Rio Chiquito and Cundiyo out of two stations located at #226 Juan Medina Rd. and #5 Jose Simon Dr., the fire district is made up mainly of smaller homes in a rural area of Santa Fe County with a significant cultural history. There are a number of old building whose age exceeds 75 years throughout the district, some which are listed on the National historic registry.

The residents of Chimayo established the Chimayo Valley Fire Department in the early 1960s. The original fire station was constructed by community members and consisted of a two-bay building that housed a fire engine and a water tender. The station was expanded in the early 1980s to include two additional apparatus bays, an office, and a lobby. It was determined there was a need for additional resources to better serve the large area of the Chimayo district and in 1985 the Community Center of Cundiyo was set up to house two fire apparatus.

Contact Information  District Chief:  Julian T. Sandoval Department Phone:  505-351-2326 Department Fax:  505-351-2326 Please keep in mind, these are volunteer departments, and there may not be anyone there to answer your call. Leave a message, and someone will return your call as soon as possible.

District Chief Julian Sandoval joined the Chimayo Volunteer Fire Department in 1996 advancing to the rank of District Chief in 2009. During his fire fighting career, District Chief Sandoval has had many opportunities to not only help in his community, but in surrounding communities as part of the Santa Fe County Wildland Strike Team. In 2001 he assisted with the Cerro Grande Fire in Los Alamos.
District Chief Sandoval holds a full time job with the Los Alamos National Laboratory, where he has been employed for the last 28 years. He is married with two sons, is an accomplished musician, and has recorded two CD’s during his musical career. Having toured the Southwestern United States, Chief Sandoval founded and became the first president of the New Mexico Hispano Music Association which has been in existence for 20 years. He was also a founding member of the Greater Chimayo Water Consumers Association.
When asked why he chose to be a volunteer fire fighter District Chief Sandoval responded “There is no better way to help your community than to help people when they are in dire need of help. The fire department has given me a big appreciation for life and the small things we all take for granted. Joining the fire department has given me the opportunity to learn the many aspects of fire fighting and emergency medical services.”

 Insurance Services Organization (ISO) Rating for the Chimayo Volunteer Fire District (6/9):

ISO collects information (such as nearest water supply, fire station, station staffing, number of personnel, number and type of fire trucks, pumping capacity, emergency communications, etc.) on municipal fire-protection efforts in communities throughout the United States. Based on the information a numerical rating is given to the area which is used by insurance companies to determine premiums.

ISO considers three classes:

• The first class applies to properties within 5 road miles of a recognized fire station and within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant or recognized alternate water supply.
• The second class applies to properties beyond 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant but within 5 road miles of a recognized fire station.
• (if applicable) The third class applies to properties beyond 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant and over 5 road miles of a recognized fire station.