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LAS CRUCES -Las Cruces native Robert Gonzales has spent more than half of his life as a member of the Las Cruces Fire Department.
For more than 34 years, he has witnessed the department change with the times. There are more stations, more firefighters with college degrees and more medical training. Fires are fought with more complex equipment and fire trucks now have closed cabs and power steering.
"It's been an experience working with the fire department. It's something you never want to leave once you get into it," Gonzales said. "It's been a very hard decision for me, but it's time."
After all his years of service, Gonzales has decided to hang up his boots on Friday.
"Robert has seen it all and because of that he is a valued member of our department," said Fire Chief Travis Brown. "Robert's experience as a firefighter and all the changes he's seen the department undergo through the years are things we use and rely on. He's a professional in every sense of the word and we're proud of everything he has contributed to make this a better city."
Turning point
At age 61, Gonzales is the longest serving city employee. He's seen and been through a lot since he started with the department on March 22, 1976.
"I've got the check stub somewhere in the desk in my office. When I started back as a probationary (employee) in 1976, my first paycheck was for $200 for two weeks. But right after I started was the event that changed the way everything would be after
In 1976, city employees, particularly police and firefighters, unhappy with wages and working conditions, went on strike for several months. Employees picketed in front of the old City Hall, 200 N. Church St., and in front of the then-Public Safety Building, which has since become the city's main Fire Department at 201 E. Picacho Ave.
"I showed up one day and there were all these people leaving," Gonzales said. "I asked what was going on and somebody said they were going on strike. My probationary period ended really quick. Later that day, Chief (Juan) Apodaca gathered all of us probationaries in the Apparatus Room, told us to raise our right hands, and swore us in right there. After that, he told us to find any bunker gear that fit us and we were off, fighting everything from trash fires to house fires , and rescuing people from car wrecks."
For five days a week, Gonzales was a firefighter and worked his way up the ranks. On his days off, he was a carpenter.
Gonzales was ultimately persuaded to join the strike and was fired from the department.
"There even was a picture of me in the Sun-News, in line with the picketers and holding my daughter in my arms," Gonzales said. "But a short time after that I was in Cashway (now Sutherlands) when I ran into Chief Apodaca. He asked me if I wanted my job back and I said yes."
Five years after joining the department, Gonzales became a fire truck driver, a symbol of experience and authority. In 1987, he was promoted to lieutenant.
Gonzales continued as a firefighter for 25 years, until two back surgeries in 2001 forced him off the trucks. He then became an inspector, reviewing construction plans submitted by architects, builders and developers for potential fire code violations. Gonzales also inspects construction sites to ensure that homes and buildings have complied with codes.
"I'd like to thank the city for allowing me to stay this long and thank the fire department because all the guys here, everybody, gets along very well, and works well together and takes care of each other. Once I got in, there was never a time where I said I needed to find another job. This place has been my second home, and everybody in it," Gonzales said.
Christine Rogel can be reached at (575) 541-5424. Steve Ramirez can be reached at (575) 541-5452.
By the numbers
Here's a look at the LCFD now compared to 1976 when Robert Gonzales began with the department.
(1976 / 2010)
•Firefighters: (36 / 116)
•Fire stations: (3 / 7)
•Women firefighters: (1 / 1 -- there were five in 2000)
•Fire trucks: (3 / 14)
•Budget: ($500,000 / $12 million)
•Monthly calls*: (10 / 1,250)
*Average calls per month
Source: Las Cruces Fire Department
