Las Cruces Fire Department Gets $1 Million Federal Grant

The U.S. Department of Justice is awarding the Las Cruces Fire Department a grant worth more than $1 million.

The funding is being awarded through the agency’s SAFER program, which aims to enhance the ability of grant winners to maintain 24-hour staffing and to assure that their communities have adequate protection from fire and other hazards.

U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman announced the grant Wednesday.

With the state suffering from dry conditions, the New Mexico Democrat says it’s important for all communities to have the tools and the people needed to fight fires.