Whitefield, a 19-year department veteran, had been serving in the role on an interim basis and formally began the position Aug. 9

Organ Mountain News report

LAS CRUCES - Justin Whitefield, a 19-year veteran of the Las Cruces Fire Department, has been named deputy chief of operations.

Whitefield had been serving in the position on an interim basis for several months and formally began his new duties Aug. 9, according to the city.

He joined the city in 2007 as a member of the department’s 25th Fire Academy after previously spending two years with the NMSU Fire Department and New Mexico State Forestry Division.

During his career, Whitefield has served as a firefighter, driver-operator, lieutenant, battalion chief and deputy chief.

From 2021 to 2022, he worked in the department’s Operational Support Division, where he managed logistical operations. He later moved to the Operations Division and served as a battalion commander.

Whitefield has been a licensed paramedic since 2015.

The city said he has also led training initiatives, overseen apparatus and equipment programs, supported the Hazardous Materials Response Team and deployed with regional incident management teams during major incidents.

“His extensive operational experience, technical expertise, and dedication to service is why Deputy Chief Whitefield was a clear choice for the position,” Fire Chief Michael Daniels said.