EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The El Paso Fire Department has been awarded a federal grant of $4.4 million that will be used to expand staffing and upgrade emergency response, the City of El Paso said.
The grant includes funding for 21 new entry-level firefighters who will serve the far East, the City said.
The majority of the funding comes from a $4.26 million Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The SAFER Grant will fund 21 new entry-level firefighter positions to help the department meet National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards for emergency response times and staffing levels. The new firefighters will serve the planned far East El Paso fire station which is anticipated to open in 2026.
“As our City continues to grow, especially in far East El Paso, it’s critical that we ensure every resident receives the same high level of safety and service,” Mayor Renard U. Johnson said. “This investment strengthens our Fire Department and reflects our continued commitment to protecting lives and property across all corners of our community.”
The new far East fire station will house both a front-line fire engine and an ambulance.
“This grant is another example of how we’re planning strategically to meet the needs of our growing City while being fiscally responsible,” City Manager Dionne Mack said. “By securing federal funding to expand our emergency response network, we’re reducing the local financial burden and ensuring residents across El Paso can continue to count on timely, professional service when it matters most.”
In addition to the SAFER award, EPFD’s Special Operations Division received a $159,565 FY26 Border Zone Grant to purchase specialized extrication equipment that supports complex rescue and border security operations.
The new equipment will enhance EPFD’s ability to respond to incidents such as confined-space rescues, catastrophic vehicle accidents, and high-speed pursuits, the City said.
For more information about the El Paso Fire Department, click here.
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