Santa Fe County commissioners on Sept. 9 approved county fire department requests to pursue state grant funding for vehicles and regional training facilities and approved a memorandum of agreement with the New Mexico Health Care Authority to participate in the ambulance supplemental payment program.

Fire Chief Keith Black asked the board for permission to apply for five New Mexico State Fire Protection grants totaling $2,575,000. In his presentation, Chief Black described three regional prefabricated training structures — one each for the north, east and south regions — budgeted at $500,000 apiece to reduce travel for training and improve regional preparedness. He also requested funds for a replacement fire engine (award amount $600,000 if funded), a mini‑pumper for administration, and a $25,000 recruitment and retention stipend for volunteer leadership.

Chief Black told commissioners the state allocation for the current grant cycle had been reduced and the competition would be stiff; he said the requests maximize the department’s eligibility and would support both career and volunteer personnel. Commissioners asked about accessibility for people with disabilities and training opportunities; Chief Black said the department provides administrative and other roles that can accommodate a range of abilities.

On a separate but related item, the board approved a memorandum of agreement (MOA number 2026‑0058‑FD) with the New Mexico Health Care Authority that lets the county provide the state share contribution so the department can receive enhanced Medicaid payments for emergency ground ambulance services. Chief Black explained that historically Medicaid reimbursement covered about 24% of billed ambulance costs; under the program, the county would provide the state share in quarterly installments, enabling the state to draw down the federal match and return enhanced payments to the county. The county anticipates the program would generate total payments of about $1.9 million, and after state share and consultant fees the department estimates a net positive budget impact of approximately $1,160,000.

Commissioners voted to approve both the grant applications and the MOA and delegated authority to the county manager to sign associated purchase orders and documents as needed.