Corrales Fire Chief Anthony Martinez Honored with VFW Public Servant Award

Corrales Fire Chief Anthony Martinez was presented with the VFW Public Servant Award on Feb. 20 by the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post, recognized in the firefighter category, with his family present at the ceremony. Village officials and the VFW highlighted Martinez’s 35 years with the department and the operational changes he has led in the village.

The Village of Corrales news release traces Martinez’s service back to April 2, 1990, joining the department “seven days after his 16th birthday.” The release describes his licensing path: “When he went to get his state license, there was no time for a minor to be an EMT basic, so they made him a first responder. He then retook the EMT basic course after turning 18. He then completed his EMT Intermediate in 1997.” The release says the former chief officially hired Martinez in 1996 as his “right hand,” and that Martinez “was then promoted to the chief position after Fritts’ retirement in 2003.”

Municipal leaders credited Martinez with tangible operational expansions during his tenure. The village release states Martinez “helped get a plan for 24-hour fire and EMS coverage started in the village, which included more staff,” and notes “There are now two fire stations in Corrales.” Mayor Fred Hashimoto praised Martinez’s management and programs: “While Chief Martinez does not like the limelight, he deserves the credit for his management of his department and the programs he has put together,” and added, “The Village has been super fortunate to have Chief Martinez protecting our properties and the Bosque from fire for the last 35 years. May we have many more.”

Infrastructure work credited to Martinez is detailed in the village release, which says, “Corrales went from 1 water tank with 35,000 gallons of water and no public hydrants to having 4 additional water tanks, 391,000 gallons of water, with three of them on a pump system with water lines and hydrants. He helped produce the functions and designs of these systems.” Martinez’s approach to suppression expansion is summarized in his own phrasing in the release: “As he put it, he is building a fire suppression system one hydrant at a time and has received tremendous community support for this effort.”

The village release also claims Martinez improved the Insurance Services Office rating for Corrales, noting that “Some insurance companies use the ISO rating to calculate fire insurance rates, to lower the rate.” NM News described the award as recognition colleagues say is overdue, writing that Martinez has been “quietly building one of the most improved fire departments in the state.” NM News further reported that “Despite the department’s growth, Martinez himself remains characteristically hands-on. He can still be found on weekends and evenings at the station, working on trucks, teaching volunteers to run pumps and welding alongside crew members on duty.”

At the ceremony and in official materials, Martinez’s humility and emphasis on teamwork were repeatedly noted: “(Martinez) does not like the limelight and believes credit for his accomplishments should go to his team of staff, this includes career and volunteer. He is a firm believer, it takes everyone, including the citizens in his community to make him a success.” As Corrales moves forward with staffed 24-hour coverage, two stations, expanded water capacity and the village’s claimed ISO improvement, municipal leaders say Martinez’s long tenure has reshaped local emergency services and infrastructure.