ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The New Mexico Gas Company has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars to volunteer first responders as part of its "Helping Heroes" program. Story continues below Don't Miss: State medical board revokes Albuquerque neurosurgeon’s license Community: ‘We want to do right by this brand’: New owners of Marble Brewery speak out Crime: Otero County sheriff’s deputy facing murder charge after fatally shooting teen National: Do Americans want more states? Are we on the right track now? The company says it awarded $228,000 worth of grants to eight organizations. Those include Elephant Butte Fire Department, Mesilla Valley Search and Rescue, Carson Volunteer Fire Department, Las Palomas Fire, Pinos Altos Fire, Latir Volunteer Fire, La Cienga Fire and Rescue and Cochiti Fire Department. Funding will be used to purchase safety equipment and support professional training, safety education, recruitment and behavioral health efforts. NM Gas launched 'Helping Heroes' late last year, saying according to state data close to 60% of fire departments in the state are volunteer-based. Applications for 2025 funding are now open.