Asked & Answered: Andrew W. Tabet — Rio Communities fire chief, car enthusiast and wanna-be sports car test driver

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Getting to know your neighbor

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Andrew W. Tabet, the Rio Communities fire chief, lives in Jarales and is vice president of the PrecizionMopars-New Mexico, a car club for people who own and show Dodge vehicles.

His parents are Phil and Yolanda Tabet; sister, Lisa Tabet-Chavez, and brother-in-law, John Eric Chavez; and niece and nephew, Lydia and Judah Chavez.

Q What do you think about when you’re alone in your car?

A “I think about everything that I’ve accomplished in the day, and everything that still needs to get accomplished. I think about what I’m going to make for dinner or if I’m going to order in.”

Q What’s a myth about your profession you’d like to bust?

A “The most common myth that people don’t understand is that we only answer fire calls but, in reality, we’re Jacks and Jills of all trades.

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Rio Communities Fire Chief Andrew W. Tabet

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“We respond to a host of different types of calls, such as emergency medical calls, search and rescue calls, to lost and found calls and to really any call that people need help. I have actually responded to a call when a cat got stuck in a tree, as well as another call when a dog was in a tree.

“The fire and rescue personnel are called problem-solvers because we’ll respond to any problem that needs to get resolved.”

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Andrew Tabet was sworn in as the Rio Communities fire chief first in April 2022, and then again in July 2023.

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Q What were you like in high school?

A “I was home-schooled, so my high school years revolved around learning at home with my mom as my teacher, working at the family restaurant, Circle T, and volunteering at Abeytas Fire Department beginning at age 16. I was a very busy teenager.”

QWhat is the best advice you’ve ever received and from whom?

A “My dad always told me, ‘When your completing a task, take your time and do it right the first time.’ I learned if you rush through stuff, you have a greater chance of making a mistake. If you take you’re time, it creates less chaos.”

QWhat did you want to be when you grew up?

A “I’ve always had a passion for firefighting. I always remember seeing the fire trucks and thinking it was amazing. I’ve always liked different types of vehicles, but fire trucks were always my favorite, with the abilities they have to put out fires.

“When I was younger, my grandpa set part of outside of his building on fire and I couldn’t do anything to put it out because I was too young. The firefighters came out and put it out. I thought it was the coolest thing I’d ever seen. That truck had an American flag attached to it, and it was the most awesome thing I’d ever seen.”

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News-Bulletin file photo

Proud of the apparatus at the Rio Communities fire station, Chief Andrew Tabet shows off Engine 1-4.

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Andrew Tabet began volunteering as a firefighter at the young age of 16.

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Q Who inspires you?

A “It would be my late grandfathers, Willie Romero and Gilbert Tabet. They both served our country in the military, and they both showed me great work ethic. Gilbert actually served in the Belen Fire Department briefly when it was first established.”

QIf you could work any other job for one day, what would it be and why?

A “I would work at some kind of sports car testing ground so I could drive them. As a huge car enthusiast, it would be so fun if I weren’t fire chief.”

QWhat do you do in your free time?

A “I work on my vehicles, and like to go to car shows. I also like to go target shooting.”

QWhat’s something about you most people don’t know?

A “I have a German shepherd named ‘The Great Jethro Gibbs.’ The name came from the character on ‘NCIS.’”

QWhat three books would you to take to a deserted island?

A “I would take the Bible, “Piercing in the Darkness” and “The Great Gatspy.”

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Andrew Tabet, far right, is with his family, from left, including his father, Phil; sister, Lisa; and mother, Yolanda, at a family get-together in 2014.

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QYou find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million. What would you do?

A “I would donate a portion of it to the Cancer Society for research, another portion to the Fallen Firefighters Society, and then build a big garage for my car collection, which will be added to.”

QWho is your best friend and why?

A “The list of good friends is too long to put on paper. A lot of people have made different impacts on my and I’m very grateful to have them in my lives. I don’t want to name just one person.”

QWhat’s your favorite song to sing when you’re alone?

A “I don’t sing, but I like Avenge Sevenfold songs.”

QWhere is your happy place, and why?

A “My happy place is in my garage working on my cars. It’s where I can decompress and it’s a stress-free environment until I lose a 10 mm socket.”

QHave you had a life-changing experience that led you to where you are today?

A “I had my first of two heart surgeries when I was 16 years old. It made me value life and encouraged me to push forward and accomplish anything I set my mind to without any limitations.”

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The Rio Communities Fire Department held an open house at the fire station.

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Tabet was one of dozens of firefighters who worked the Ironworks Fire in March 2019.

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QWhat teacher had the greatest impact on you?

A “My mom, Yolanda. She had patience, she took the time to explain things to me. She was my Teacher of the Year every year.”

QWhat is your favorite movie scene and why?

A “My favorite movie scene is from ‘Top Gun’ when he does the fly by. It’s just one of those feel-good moments and you can’t help but laugh.”

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Andrew Tabet was presented with an award at a car show for suicide awareness.

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QIf you could have dinner with one famous person — dead or alive — who would it be and why?

A “It would be Robin Williams, to be able to thank him for all the laughter he’s given me through his art of comedy.”

QWhat are you most proud of?

A “I’m most proud of my command staff at this department. It’s been a huge undertaking to develop and professionalize this station and I have could not have asked for better people by my side.”

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News-Bulletin file photo

Rio Communities Fire Chief Andrew Tabet participated in the annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony in Belen.

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Rio Communities Fire Chief Andrew Tabet and his deputy chief Greg Gallegos during a recent training.

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QHow would you like to be remembered?

A “I would like to be remembered as someone who made a difference in the community.”

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