The Hobbs City Commission voted to approve city staff’s submission of a fiscal year 2026 fire protection grant application that would request $497,250 to fund training simulators and props for the Hobbs Fire Department.
Fire Chief Mark DePorto told the commission the grant would fund items that support the department’s planned on‑site training tower, including a 14‑foot hazmat rollover tanker capable of pivoting for burn and leak simulations, a flammable liquids and gas trainer trailer with multiple props, and an SUV vehicle fire simulator for repeated vehicle‑fire drills. DePorto said there is no local match required for this grant application.
DePorto said the city has already purchased a training tower and expects to return to the commission with an RFP for construction work on the facility in early November. He also said city staff aim to hardwire some trainers to natural gas in partnership with local gas utilities for repeated use.
Commissioner Smith moved to approve submission and Commissioner Girth seconded. The vote was unanimous: Commissioners Smith, Mills, Fields, Calderon and Girth and Mayor Sam D. Cobb voted yes.
If awarded, the grant would fund training equipment the fire chief described as particularly useful for oil and gas industry incident simulations and vehicle‑fire response practice. No contract or award was guaranteed by the vote; the action approved only submission of the grant application.