Plateau – Public Safety Education Grants (Rolling)

Up to $7,000 for Fire, EMS, and Law Enforcement Training in Rural New Mexico and Texas

Plateau’s Public Safety Education Grant Fund provides grants of up to $7,000 to help rural public safety agencies meet training and certification requirements. Funding supports professional development, training materials, conference registration, advanced certifications, and equipment necessary for public safety training.

The program is designed to assist rural communities where limited municipal and county budgets can make it difficult for law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and volunteers to obtain essential training.

No matching funds are required. Applications are accepted throughout the calendar year, subject to available funding.

Organization: Plateau / Eastern New Mexico Rural Telephone Cooperative
Support Type: Corporate giving grants
Geographic Focus: Plateau Cooperative service areas in eastern New Mexico and Farwell, Texas
Funding Amount: Up to $7,000 per award
Application Deadline: Rolling, January 1–December 31, until funds are depleted
Matching Requirement: None

About the Funder

Plateau is a telecommunications cooperative headquartered in Clovis, New Mexico, serving rural communities across eastern New Mexico and parts of West Texas.

Originally established as Eastern New Mexico Rural Telephone Cooperative, Plateau has provided communications services to rural communities for more than 75 years.

In addition to its telecommunications operations, Plateau invests in community development, education, and public safety through grant and sponsorship programs.

The Public Safety Education Grant Fund reflects Plateau’s commitment to helping rural communities maintain well-trained and certified emergency responders.

What This Program Supports

The Public Safety Education Grant Fund supports training and educational activities that improve public safety readiness.

Firefighter Training & Certification

Funding may support:

• Fire academy training
• Firefighter certification courses
• Advanced fire protection training
• Training manuals and instructional materials
• Equipment specifically needed to conduct firefighter training

Both paid and volunteer fire protection personnel may benefit from eligible training activities.

Emergency Medical Services & Paramedic Training

Funding may support:

• EMS training programs
• Paramedic education
• Emergency medical certifications
• Training registration fees
• Instructional materials and manuals
• Equipment used for emergency medical training

Examples of eligible training-related equipment include resuscitation training mannequins and audiovisual instructional equipment.

Law Enforcement Training

Funding may support:

• Law enforcement academy training
• Advanced professional certifications
• Specialized public safety training
• Training conference registration
• Instructional materials
• Equipment necessary to conduct law enforcement training

Public Safety Education & Professional Development

Additional eligible expenses may include:

• Registration fees for training conferences
• Advanced certifications
• Training manuals
• Instructional DVDs and related equipment
• Other documented costs directly related to public safety training

Applicants should clearly explain how the proposed training or equipment will strengthen public safety capabilities.

Eligible Support Types

Public Safety Education Grants

Grants of up to $7,000 are available for eligible training and educational expenses.

Training-Related Equipment

Funding may support equipment required to conduct public safety training, including police, fire, EMS, and paramedic training equipment.

No-Match Funding

The program does not require applicants to provide matching funds.

Plateau may consider multiple applications from the same entity when each request is distinct, independent, and consistent with program guidelines.

Eligibility & Geographic Focus

Eligible applicants include rural communities, municipalities, and public safety departments operating within Plateau’s Cooperative service area.

Potential applicants include:

• Municipal fire departments
• Volunteer fire departments
• Emergency medical services departments
• Law enforcement agencies
• Other qualifying public safety departments

Government Authorization Required

Applications must be authorized by a local governmental entity with a legitimate public safety interest in the Cooperative service area.

The application must identify the local agency authorized to administer the funds and the responsible party overseeing expenditures.

Geographic Eligibility

Funding is restricted to entities located within Plateau’s designated Cooperative service area.

Eligible areas are primarily in eastern New Mexico, with Farwell, Texas, also included among the Cooperative’s qualifying service exchanges.

Examples of listed service communities include:

New Mexico

• Anton Chico
• Clayton
• Conchas Dam
• Corona
• Fort Sumner
• Grady
• Logan
• Mosquero
• Ranchvale
• Roy
• San Jon
• Santa Rosa
• Vaughn

Texas

• Farwell

Additional rural exchanges qualify. Applicants must verify eligibility using Plateau’s official Cooperative service exchange list.

Importantly, purchasing Plateau telecommunications services outside the designated Cooperative service area does not establish grant eligibility.

Ineligible Requests & Restrictions

Plateau’s grant guidelines establish the following restrictions:

• Applicants outside the Cooperative service area are not eligible.
• Funds may be used only for the training or equipment described in the approved application.
• Changes to approved training activities or equipment require written authorization from Plateau’s Board of Directors.
• Individuals participating in the training may not derive direct personal benefit from the grant.
• Expenditures must be completed within 12 months of the award.
• Receipts documenting actual expenditures must be submitted to Plateau.
• Failure to provide proper expenditure documentation may affect eligibility for future funding.

The program is intended specifically for public safety education and training. General departmental operating expenses and equipment purchases unrelated to training are not identified as eligible uses.

Funding Amounts

Maximum Award: $7,000

Matching Requirement: None

There is no published minimum award amount.

Grants may support one or more eligible training expenses, provided the total request does not exceed $7,000.

Multiple requests from the same entity may be considered if the proposed activities are separate and independently justified.

Approval of multiple requests is at the discretion of the Board of Directors’ Education Committee.

Timeline & Review

📅 Application Period: January 1–December 31
📅 Deadline: Rolling, until available funds are depleted
📅 Expenditure Deadline: Within 12 months of the award
📅 Review Process: Education Committee review, followed by final Board of Directors approval

Applications may be submitted throughout the calendar year while funding remains available.

Plateau does not publish a standard review or award notification period.

Because awards depend on available funds, applicants are encouraged to submit requests early rather than waiting until the end of the year.

Application / Request Process

Applicants must complete Plateau’s Public Safety Education Grant application and provide supporting documentation.

Step 1: Confirm Geographic Eligibility

Verify that the requesting department or administering entity is located within Plateau’s qualifying Cooperative service area.

The application requests a qualifying telephone number or Cooperative account number.

Step 2: Complete the Application

Applicants must provide:

• Name of the local agency authorized to administer grant funds
• Name of the responsible party controlling funds
• Mailing address
• Qualifying Cooperative telephone number or account number
• Name of the public safety department requesting funding
• Requested grant amount, up to $7,000
• Intended use of funds
• Authorized applicant’s name, title, signature, telephone number, and email address

Step 3: Prepare a Project Narrative & Budget

Applicants must attach a separate page describing:

• The purpose of the funding request
• Proposed training or educational activities
• Items to be purchased
• A cost breakdown for each item

Supporting materials should include relevant documentation, such as equipment quotes or training conference information.

Step 4: Obtain Required Authorization

The application must be signed by an authorized representative of the requesting public safety department and authorized by an eligible local governmental entity.

Step 5: Submit for Review

Completed requests are reviewed by the Education Committee of Plateau’s Board of Directors.

Final funding approval is made by the full Board of Directors.

Applicants should contact Plateau for submission instructions and questions about eligibility.

Contact Information

Plateau Grants
7111 N Prince Street
Clovis, NM 88101

Phone: 575-389-4387
Email: publicaffairs@plateautel.com

Apply / Learn More: https://www.plateautel.com/company/public-safety-grants/

Grant Application (PDF): https://www.plateautel.com/media/documents/grants/public-safety-grant-application.pdf

Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit

This opportunity is particularly well suited for:

• Rural volunteer fire departments
• Municipal fire departments seeking advanced training
• Emergency medical services departments
• Rural law enforcement agencies
• Public safety departments facing limited training budgets
• Agencies seeking funding for certification courses
• Departments purchasing specialized training equipment
• Eligible communities seeking funding without a matching requirement

Plateau’s Public Safety Education Grant Fund provides targeted support for rural emergency response agencies that need additional resources to maintain professional training standards.

With awards of up to $7,000, no matching requirement, and applications accepted throughout the year while funding remains available, the program offers a practical funding option for qualifying public safety departments.

Corporate Grants Guide Notes

Review Type: Rolling, subject to available funds
Maximum Award: $7,000
Matching Requirement: None
Best Suited For: Rural public safety agencies in Plateau Cooperative service areas seeking training, certification, or training-related equipment funding
Important Requirement: Local governmental authorization and documentation of expenditures within 12 months