Rep. Vasquez Secures Nearly $500,000 for Las Cruces Fire Department to Train Additional Paramedics

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On December 9, 2025 U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) announced that he had secured $456,181 for the City of Las Cruces to expand paramedic training for local first responders. This funding was secured through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. 

This award, one of the most competitive federal firefighter grants, will strengthen emergency medical response capacity across southern New Mexico. The funding will allow the Las Cruces Fire Department to train 15 new paramedics by covering tuition and overtime costs for firefighters enrolled in the Doña Ana Community College paramedic program. Three firefighters currently in paramedic school will be supported through the grant, with an additional cohort of 12 beginning training early next year.

“This funding will save lives and support the brave first responders who show up for our families every day,” said Rep. Gabe Vasquez. “I worked to bring this money home because southern New Mexicans deserve nothing but the best, including well-trained emergency medical teams that can respond quickly when every second counts.”

Rep. Vasquez remains committed to delivering for New Mexico’s firefighters and improving EMS services: 

• After meeting with the Las Cruces Fire Department earlier this year, Vasquez led a letter urging the Administration to protect and expand first responders' affordable access to overdose reversal medications, like Narcan, which are critical tools in combating the fentanyl and opioid crisis.
• Vasquez is a consistent supporter of increased funding for both AFG and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER), the two main sources of federal funding for local fire departments. 
• Vasquez is a cosponsor of H.R. 2538, Comprehensive Alternative Response for Emergencies (CARE) Act, a bipartisan bill to allow seniors on Medicare to receive at-home emergency medical services to treat minor medical incidents by creating a model that reimburses EMS providers delivering treatment in place and not just reimburses when Medicare patients are transported to the hospital. This legislation is supported by the International Association of Firefighters.  

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