09/23/2026
ROSWELL, N.M. — The Roswell Professional Firefighters Union, IAFF Local 1249, has formally declared impasse in its collective bargaining negotiations with the City of Roswell.
Local 1249 entered negotiations in good faith and worked to develop a proposal that addressed the needs of its members while remaining mindful of the City’s operational and financial responsibilities. Despite the efforts of both parties, an agreement could not be reached on the remaining issues through direct negotiations.
Throughout negotiations, Local 1249 sought to address both present and future challenges facing the fire department. These concerns include retaining experienced firefighters, addressing past and current hiring difficulties, strengthening the City’s ability to recruit qualified firefighters in the future, and ensuring the department has the personnel and resources necessary to continue serving Roswell safely and effectively.
As Roswell continues to grow in community and service demands, the demand placed on emergency services continues to increase. The addition of the ambulance service has also expanded the responsibilities and workload of Roswell’s firefighters. Local 1249 believes the department’s staffing, recruitment, retention, and available resources must grow alongside the community and the services its firefighters are expected to provide.
As a result, Local 1249 has initiated the established impasse-resolution process.
“Declaring impasse is just another hurdle toward working for a solution,” said Local 1249 President Carlos Garcia. “It means direct negotiations did not result in an agreement, and we are moving to the next required step. Hiring and retention are an issue that we cannot ignore, and to address these issues, some changes need to be made".
"We believe our department has among the region's most highly trained and capable personnel both in Fire and EMS " Garcia said. "The investment in hiring, training and retaining personnel should be a priority with the value they provide for the safety of the citizens of Roswell. Local 1249 remains committed to working with the City toward decisions that address both our immediate concerns and the challenges our department will face in the future."
Mediation will provide the parties with the assistance of a neutral mediator as they continue working toward a mutually acceptable agreement.
Throughout this process, Roswell’s firefighters will continue serving the community with the same professionalism, dedication, and commitment that residents, businesses, and visitors rely upon every day. The declaration of impasse will not affect the emergency services provided to the citizens of Roswell.
Local 1249 remains committed to participating in mediation in good faith and is hopeful that the process will result in a fair and responsible agreement.
About RPFU IAFF Local 1249
The Roswell Professional Firefighters Union, IAFF Local 1249, represents professional firefighters who serve and protect the residents of Roswell. Local 1249 is committed to supporting its members, promoting firefighter and public safety, and providing professional service to the community.
