Moriarty Fire Department Awarded $600K Grant For Class A Fire Engine

MORIARTY, N.M. — The Moriarty Fire Department has been awarded $600,000 to purchase a new Class A fire engine, a significant investment that promises to bolster the city’s emergency response capabilities for decades to come.

The funding comes from the New Mexico Fire Grant Council’s Fiscal Year 2026 award cycle, which recently approved over $21.5 million in projects for departments across the state. The Moriarty Fire Department’s award was among the maximum amounts granted for a single vehicle project this cycle.

What This Means for Moriarty The $600,000 grant is specifically designated for a “Class A Engine,” also known in the industry as a Type 1 engine. This truck is the workhorse of modern structural firefighting. Unlike smaller brush trucks often used for wildland fires, a Class A engine is designed to combat intense residential and commercial building fires.

Key capabilities of these engines typically include:

• High-Capacity Pumping: A powerful pump capable of moving at least 1,000 gallons of water per minute.
• Urban Response Design: Equipped with a full complement of ground ladders, heavy hoses, and specialized tools for forcible entry and ventilation.
• Crew Safety: Seating for three to four firefighters, allowing a full crew to arrive on scene ready to deploy immediately.

For a department led by Fire Chief Todd Hart, acquiring a new frontline engine without burdening local taxpayers is a major victory. Fire apparatus costs have risen sharply in recent years, making state grants essential for smaller municipalities like Moriarty to maintain modern fleets.

Broader Local Impact Moriarty wasn’t the only beneficiary in Torrance County. The Mountainair Fire Department was awarded a $25,000 stipend. Funds typically used for recruiting, retaining, and training volunteer firefighters—a critical need for rural departments relying on community participation.

The FY26 grant cycle highlights a continued state-level focus on upgrading aging infrastructure. Other major awards included similar $600,000 engine grants for departments in Valencia, Sierra, and San Juan counties, signaling a statewide push to modernize the fleet of structural fire engines protecting New Mexico’s communities.

The Moriarty Fire Department won’t be getting the new engine right away, as the manufacturing process for custom fire apparatus can often take 12 to 24 months after the order is placed.