BELEN, N.M. – The City of Belen in New Mexico was presented a $100,000 check from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Foundation, according to the Belem News-Bulletin. Regional Director of Public Affairs for BNSF Railway Joseph Faust said this is the largest contribution made from the BNSF Foundation to an organization in the State of New Mexico, as part of a matching gift program. The contribution was matched to a $100,000 grant that former Fire Chief Wayne Gallegos initiated with Councilor Terese Ulivarri last year, which gives the city a total of $200,000 to purchase a new Class A pumper fire truck. Currently, the city has two Class A fire trucks as well as a ladder truck, but with the addition of another Class A fire truck, its insurance service office rating will be lower. While additional funding will be needed to equip the new fire truck with equipment such as a generator, lighting, hoses, and air apparatus tanks, the city is looking toward capital outlay funds to help them with the purchase.
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