Two fire departments in Torrance County will receive $625,000 in state grant funding to purchase new equipment and support volunteer firefighter recruitment, the New Mexico State Fire Marshal’s Office announced Monday.
The Moriarty Fire Department received the largest award at $600,000 to purchase a Class A fire engine, while the Mountainair Fire Department was awarded $25,000 in stipend funding to help recruit and retain volunteer firefighters.
The grants are part of more than $22 million distributed to 69 fire departments statewide through the FY26 Fire Protection Grant program. The funding supports investments ranging from fire engines and radios to station improvements and personal protective equipment.
“Investing in local departments, especially those with limited resources, can enhance firefighter safety, provide better fire protection services to New Mexicans, and improve their Insurance Services Office ratings,” State Fire Marshal Randy Varela said in a statement.
The stipend program addresses a critical need in rural areas, where volunteer departments often struggle to maintain adequate staffing levels.
Funding for the grants comes from the state’s Fire Protection Fund, which reinvests a 3% premium on insurance policies back into local fire departments. The Fire Grant Council, comprised of seasoned firefighters from across New Mexico, reviews applications annually to ensure strategic distribution based on community need.
These investments can help improve ISO ratings, which may decrease insurance rates for residents, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.