County secures major grants for wildfire protection plans

During a recent government meeting, Emergency Manager Mr. Fuller provided a series of updates regarding ongoing initiatives and grant applications aimed at enhancing community safety and preparedness.

Fuller reported on the progress of the county's hazard mitigation plan, noting that a kickoff meeting had already taken place, with public meetings scheduled for July 23 and September 17. He expressed optimism that a FEMA-approved plan could be finalized by early next year.

In addition, Fuller announced the receipt of two significant grant awards. The first, a $385,000 community wildfire defense grant, will be used to update the community wildfire protection plan, pending the arrival of a contract from the state. The second grant, amounting to $20,000 from the New Mexico Association of Counties, is designated for community outreach and education on wildfire risk reduction. Fuller indicated that a resolution for this funding is expected to be passed soon, allowing for the distribution of funds by July.

Further, Fuller detailed his recent submissions for various grants, including the Emergency Management Performance Grant, which supports half of his salary, and the SHISH grant funding for 44 projects, which includes funding to update the emergency operations plan. He emphasized the importance of having all three plans updated within a year, which would significantly enhance the county's emergency preparedness.

Fuller concluded his report by inviting questions from the commissioners, highlighting the collaborative effort required to ensure community safety and effective emergency management.