Albuquerque Fire Department Retirees Association
AFDRA’s 25th Anniversary
Today, June 9th, is the Albuquerque Fire Department Retirees’ Association’s 25th anniversary. Twenty-five years ago today, Sam Trujillo, Herman Bishop, Ralph Sedillo and others formally established what has become our association. Their vision to have a way for retirees to stay in touch and continue to care for one another has grown into the association that we have today. In the ensuing years, we have continued our primary objective of being a way for retired firefighters to stay bonded by becoming a non-profit organization dedicated to the well-being of our members. We accomplish this with an annual summer picnic, Christmas dinner, peer support group, Kitchen Table meetings, and our website, afdretires.com, and Facebook page. But our most visible accomplishment is our AFDRA Honor Guard that pays honor and respect to our deceased members. Letting families know that even when we pass, our loved ones are still part of our fire family, always there for them in any way that we can assist.
AFDRA accomplishes this without dues, relying on donations from our members and corporate partners. If you are newly retired, or just haven’t bothered to attend a meeting, join us this Wednesday, June 11, at the union hall for our 298th meeting. Doors open at 6pm, and the meetings always start sharply at 7ish. Along with attending a meeting, we also hope to see you at our AFDRA picnic, August 23, at 11 am at Rotary Park in Bernalillo.
2025 Picnic
August 23, at 11 am
370 Rotary Park Rd, Bernalillo, NM
The Albuquerque Fire Department Retirees Association was formed on June 9, 2000. General meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month and all retirees are encouraged to attend. The association also has an annual summer picnic and Christmas party for retirees and families. For more information contact any association officer.
The AFDRA has created a Retiree’s Assistance Program (RAP) modeled after IAFF Local 244’s members assistance program (MAP). For information go to the Peer Support Group Page
You may Donate Here if you wish
Social Security information
We all have our PERA, but just about all of us are entitled to Social Security benefits as well, and with the Social Security Fairness act, those benefits are without the Windfall Elimination Act penalties. To see all the benefits that you are entitled to, sign into your SS account and explore the benefits page. If you do not have a SS account, go to SSA.gov and create an account, even if you are not yet 65, you can see which benefits you will be eligible for when you reach social security age. When you create an account, you will be directed to the new government login page login.gov. Here is a sample of the type of benefits that you may be eligible for; SSA benefits
|Purpose|
|Goals|
Mission Statement
To establish an organization where retired members of the Albuquerque Fire Department can socialize, maintain past friendships, ties and connections to the Fire Department. To create and maintain cordial feelings of friendship which bond retirees, active duty members and their families together.
Purpose
- To preserve the rights interests and welfare of retired members of the Albuquerque Fire Department.
- To promote sociability and friendship.
- To keep retirees in touch with the Fire Department Family on a regular basis.
- To create and maintain a cohesive, cordial and warm feeling of friendship between all active members and retirees together with their families.
Goals
- Prepare and Maintain an up-to-date roster of all retirees, listing their addresses and telephone numbers.
- Prepare and Maintain an up-to-date list of deceased members and remember them at our regular meetings by observing one minute of silence in their honor.
- To establish a regular meeting time and place for members of the Association.
- Adopt an Association logo which can be used on letterheads, business cards, bumper stickers, labels and other promotions for the good and welfare of our members.
- Publish a quarterly news letter or when necessary.
- Invite eligible members to join us at all regular meeting, functions and events which pertain to the Association. While attendance at every meeting is not required to remain in good standing, members are encouraged to attend a reasonable amount of meetings during the year.
- Make every effort to support the Association through volunteer donations during the year.
- Utilize donations to cover operating cost such as coffee, doughnuts, stationary, printing cost, etc.
- Maintain a close and coordinated working relationship with the Fire Chief, his staff, and department members to promote the success of the Association and it’s members.
Advisory Board
- Vince Holcomb
- Bill Raupfer
- Jose Salaz
- Santos Abeyta
- Pablo Garcia
- Morris Gutierrez
- Tommy Romero
- Fred Teupell
- Louis C. Trujillo
- Eulogio Lucero
- Anthony Nuanez
- Emiliano Chavez
- James Parra
Executive Board
| President | Kerry Horton | 505-934-2969 |
| Vice President | Donny Sanchez | 505-228-3286 |
| Treasurer | Mike Fox | 505-385-7292 |
| Secretary | Edward Abeita | 505-250-7895 |
| President Emeritus | Sam Trujillo | 505-400-3644 |
| Historian | Herman R. Bishop | 505-294-7165 |
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