The USDA has announced $413,000 in federal funding for the Village of Cuba’s Volunteer Fire Department that U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich advocated directly for through the Omnibus Appropriations Agreement for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23).
This investment will be used by the Village of Cuba Volunteer Fire Department to replace its aging fire engine pumper. The new modern and fire engine will enable volunteer firefighters to effectively provide better fire service to the 635 residents of this community. The fire engine will also be dispatched to provide emergency and fire project along a 100-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 550, which is a heavily traveled highway connecting the northwest part of the state to central New Mexico.
“Our firefighters and first responders put their lives on the line to keep us safe. This investment will help better equip Cuba’s Volunteer Fire Department to respond to emergencies, especially as fires in our state are made worse by climate change,” said Heinrich. “I’m proud to have secured these funds to deliver federal support for the folks who sacrifice so much for all of us.”
The volunteer fire department is expected to receive 400 emergency calls annually.