By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. — Moriarty’s fire chief took a department short on people and gear and turned it into a growing operation. Now fire service leaders across the state have named him the best in New Mexico.
Fire Chief Todd Hart won the 2026 NM Fire & EMS Expo Fire Chief of the Year award, the City of Moriarty announced on social media. A panel of representatives from fire and emergency service agencies across New Mexico selected him.
The award citation credits Hart with growing the Moriarty Fire Department from a small organization with staffing and equipment problems into a combination department, which uses both paid and volunteer firefighters. Under Hart, the department added staff, upgraded its equipment, opened a new fire station and improved its ISO rating. Insurers use that score to set property insurance premiums.
The citation also praised Hart for “leading by example with integrity, accountability, and compassion.”
The New Mexico State Fire Marshal’s Office and the New Mexico EMT Association host the annual expo, which includes training courses, a memorial ceremony for fallen firefighters and an awards ceremony.
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