On Friday, April 25, 2026, thirteen firefighters graduated from Sandoval County Fire and Rescue Academy Class 8 at a ceremony held in the V. Sue Cleveland High School Concert Hall. This was the largest Academy Class in the program’s history. More than 300 family members, friends, firefighters, and Sandoval County leadership and management attended the event that included the traditional pinning ceremony. According to Sandoval County, these new firefighters will be deployed to fire stations throughout the County, including the new Cuba Fire Station, now under construction.

Academy Class 8 graduates, now firefighters, are Juan Baca, Elijah Barton, Joe Chavez, Christoper Gomez, George Guerrero, Caitlin Holloway, Noah Jaramillo, Jason Maestas, Jacob Salazar, Antwon Shendo, Bryant Shockley, Kennard Toldeo-Tsoi, and Dakota Trujillo.