They can train just as hard and just as long as their paid counterparts, but volunteer firefighters do all the work for free.
The work is demanding and rewarding, but fewer and fewer people are answering the call in Santa Fe.
Chief Tom MacDonell said when you're a volunteer firefighter, any call could take time.
"That call can range anywhere from 15 minutes to six hours," MacDonell said. "In the 28 years I've been in this district, we're at an all-time low as far as volunteers."
Recruiting someone to the demanding life of a volunteer firefighter is rarely easy, but it seems to be getting harder around New Mexico.
David Sperling of the Santa Fe County Fire Department, said, "It seems like it's getting tougher and tougher to get volunteers through the door, and to keep them here."
The Santa Fe County Fire Department has about 75 career, or paid, firefighters.
On top of that, it has about 250 volunteers and with 2,000 square miles to cover, they are trying all they can to get more.
The state Fire Marshal's Office said volunteers make up 80 percent of all firefighters in New Mexico and not having enough of them in rural areas is a major concern.
Sperling said, "We're all striving for some sort of solution, to bring volunteers in, to keep them here."
As for MacDonell, he said the biggest perk comes from the community.
"To hear that one customer say thank you is so rewarding, so I'll continue doing it," said MacDonell.
The pay may be next to nothing, but the benefits are immeasurable.
The Santa Fe County Fire Department offers several incentives to volunteers.
And, it's increasing efforts to recruit and retain new volunteers.
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