The Bloomfield Volunteer Fire Department was founded in 1950 by Louie Faverino, Carl May and Dan Sullivan. The first piece of apparatus was a 1929 American La France chemical unit that was purchased from the Aztec Fire Department. In 1955, the department purchased its first new apparatus, a Chevrolet pumper, with a Bean high-pressure pump and in 1957 the department acquired a Seagrave with a 500-gallon booster tank and 750-gpm pump. Louie Faverino went on to serve on the Bloomfield City Council and as the Mayor of Bloomfield and later owned several businesses in Bloomfield and San Juan County. Carl May owned and operated the first grocery store in Bloomfield for many years. Dan Sullivan also served on the City Council and as Mayor. Dan later was the Sheriff of San Juan County for several terms.
The department has continually progressed over the years. In 1975, the department began operation of an ambulance with Basic EMTs as ambulance service was being provided by the local mortuaries. In that same year, the department acquired the first Hurst extrication tool in the county and also was the first volunteer department to utilize tone and voice radio pagers replacing the alerting siren. In 1979, the department purchased an Emergency One pumper, and it was at this time the department changed from red apparatus to the lime green color that is still in use today. In 1989, an E-1 custom ladder truck was placed in service. In 2002, the department hired three (3) career firefighters to provide staffing for the day shift (8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) Monday through Friday due to the lack of available volunteers.
Today the department boasts a Class 2 Insurance Services Office rating (ISO). The ISO grades approximately 50,000 communities nationwide on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being the best and 10 being the worst. This Class 2 places Bloomfield Fire in the top two percent nationwide. The department serves the community from three stations and operates:
- Class A engines
- Ladder truck
- Heavy rescue truck
- Light duty rescue trucks
- Brush/wildland trucks
- Water rescue equipment, jet skis and raft
- Confined Space / Trench Rescue Trailer
- Administrative Vehicles
- Utility Vehicle
The department still is heavily reliant on a staff of volunteers who give their time unselfishly and provide professional EMS, technical rescue and fire service to the community.
