On June 30, 2017, New Mexico State Treasurer Tim Eichenberg’s office received more than $55 million from the State’s Fire Protection Fund. The money will be distributed to municipal and county fire departments in proportion to their respective needs prior to July 31, as determined by the State Fire Marshal. Funds are used for the operation, maintenance, and betterment of local fire departments to reduce hazard of loss by fire/fire insurance rates and promote public safety, but not firefighters’ salaries.
The 99 municipal fire departments will receive $20,320,082, ranging from $34,862 to $2,129,018. The 28 counties will receive $29,386,135, ranging from $126,509 to $1,834,860. An additional $5,336,416 will be paid to the New Mexico Finance Authority on behalf of various firefighting agencies.