Dora fire department receives grant

The Dora Fire Department has received a $25,200 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Administration and will use the money for rescue equipment for the department.

Village of Dora clerk Becky Fraze said the money will be used to purchase rescue equipment such as the jaws of life and other cutting equipment.

“We feel so fortunate to receive the grant,” Fraze said. “We have hopes of getting funding and hope we will get selected but it’s a very competitive application process.”

Fraze said most of the funding for the Dora Fire Department comes from the State Fire Marshall, but she said the county also receives some funding from the county. Fraze said she applied for the grants in March of 2003 and 2004.

U. S. Representative Tom Udall announced last week the Village of Dora Fire Department will receive $25,200 as part of the Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement (FIRE) Act. The act provides competitive grants to assist local fire departments.

“This is great news for Dora,” Udall said in a press release. “Fire fighters and rescue workers deserve the best possible equipment and training to they can help save lives. By working to pass and fund the FIRE Act, we have ensured that fire departments in New Mexico and elsewhere will have first responders who are prepared for any rescue.”

The funds can be used to increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, fire fighter health and safety programs, acquire new fire fighting equipment, enhance Emergency Medical Services (EMS) programs and conduct fire prevention and safety programs.

Fraze said the department received a FEMA grant last year for approximately $169,000 to purchase a new 35,000-gallon fire tanker. Fraze said she’s hopeful they will receive the fire tanker by mid-October. Dora Fire Department Bill Cathey said fire department members have also discussed the need of making the fire department building larger.

“We need to add to the building, maybe put (in) a substation,” Cathey said. “We are ruining out of room and we need to do something.”