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Commission approves SCBA, cardiac monitor purchases and accepts NMPRC grant for fire services
Summary
The board approved purchases of self‑contained breathing apparatus and ZOLL cardiac monitors/AEDs and accepted a New Mexico Public Regulation Commission grant to fund SCBAs and $25,000 for volunteer stipends; an interim fire chief contract extension and related procurement scheduling were also addressed.
Doña Ana County commissioners approved several fire‑service purchases and a state grant at their Jan. 13 meeting aimed at modernizing equipment and supporting volunteer and campus fire response.
Interim county fire chief Andy Bowen described a tiered replacement plan for self‑contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs) and said New Mexico State University’s fire department should be equipped first to ensure interoperability with Las Cruces Fire Department equipment. The board approved a $287,238.34 purchase of SCBAs for NMSU (item 23).
Commissioners also approved a $521,067.30 purchase of ZOLL cardiac monitors and automatic external defibrillators to outfit rescue units and apparatus countywide (item 24). Chief Bowen said the purchases address inventory shortfalls and a state fire marshal finding that apparatus lacked AEDs.
To help pay for equipment and support volunteers, the board accepted a New Mexico Public Regulation Commission award reported at roughly $287,239 to fund the SCBAs and an additional $25,000 for volunteer stipends (item 25). Chief Bowen said the stipend funds would be used as the county opens volunteer firefighter applications in the coming weeks.
Separately, commissioners approved an extension of the interim fire chief services contract with New Mexico State University through Jan. 20, 2026 to allow a handoff to an incoming interim chief from the Las Cruces Fire Department. Staff said the extension allows a short transition window and that Los Cruces deputy chief Sean Heck will assume the interim role.
Why it matters: The procurements and grant acceptance address interoperability, safety needs and volunteer recruitment; funding details and inventory priorities were discussed publicly and approved by roll call.
