Commission approves revised volunteer fire stipend policy tied to training and equipment maintenance

The Grant County Board of Commissioners voted July 24 to approve revisions to the county’s Volunteer Fire Department stipend program policy. Chief Roger Grove, who presented the revisions, said the county received a $25,000 stipend from Homeland Security and the New Mexico Fire Marshal’s Office and sought to clarify and expand the policy’s annual requirements.

The revised policy requires annual testing and preventive maintenance (pump tests, hose and ladder testing, SCBA flow testing, hydrostatic testing of air bottles, and service on communications infrastructure such as antennas and repeaters). Chiefs must submit an annual budget plan to the county finance director, attend at least 50 percent of rural chiefs’ meetings, participate in at least 50 percent of countywide quarterly trainings, and ensure personnel complete annual wildland fire safety refreshers. The policy also adds a 16‑hour annual leadership/officer training requirement for chiefs or documentation that they deliver that training to members.

If the board approves the policy, Grove said it will be submitted to the New Mexico Fire Marshal’s Office for review and then to the county attorney’s office for final sign‑off before taking effect.

Actions: Chairman Ponce moved to approve the stipend program policy; Commissioner Medina seconded; the motion passed by voice vote.

Ending: The policy will be forwarded to the state fire marshal for review and then to county counsel for finalization.