Gifts to Friends of the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Boost Preparedness

Silver City, NM – As construction gets underway on the Grant County rope rescue and ladder training facility, thousands have already poured into the fund that is enabling this critical project. Leaders of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Friends of the Fire and Rescue Volunteers pledge to put additional donations toward future initiatives that also contribute to public and firefighter safety.

Friends of the Fire and Rescue Volunteers, which was established by members of the Pinos Altos Volunteer Fire and Rescue department, is fully paying for the reconstruction of the training tower behind Silver City Fire Department Station No. 2. After being out of commission for over a decade, the 25-year-old structure will be functional again after an estimated $61,000 in repairs are completed. 

“Private donations supplement what is available from other sources to meet the shared needs of both paid and volunteer first responders in southwest New Mexico."

"When people can give their time or give financially, they enhance our community’s safety and support firefighters as we work together in emergency situations,” said Pinos Altos Volunteer Fire and Rescue Chief Ed Downard, who is Vice President of the nonprofit.

The refurbished rope rescue and ladder training tower will allow volunteer and paid emergency responders to practice as a team and ultimately respond cohesively. Having it in working order will also help to lower insurance premiums by improving the Insurance Services Office (ISO) score of area fire departments.

In addition to a need for volunteers across Grant County fire and rescue departments, there’s a need for monetary contributions that can cover gaps in government funding. To make a gift, mail a check to Friends of Fire and Rescue Volunteers, PO Box 4012, Silver City, NM 88062.