Highlights from Tuesday’s (7/21/2020) TMFPD Board meeting and other intel follow:
NOTE: This meeting was without the public in attendance due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Public participation was facilitated via ZOOM audio/video and can be viewed on the WASHOE CHANNEL [ Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District | July 21 , 2020 ]. Public comments were allowed via email in advance of the meeting. No public comments on any item occurred.
- Wildland fire crews/fuels reduction projects – A second fuels management crew was approved and hiring will start next month with the Verdi area the focus in late Summer. This additional crew is funded by NV Energy and the NDF, so no cost to TMFPD taxpayers. A FEMA Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S) grant was applied for to further assist homeowners to reduce the amount of combustible vegetation on their homesites with a curbside chipping program and further improve the ‘green waste’ semi-annual collection program in selected neighborhoods. A decision by FEMA is likely not later than mid-September on this grant.
- TM#37 Hidden Valley station renovations and new apparatus bay –The Board approved the sale of the 5445 Pelham Street residence as the 5325 Pelham residence will now serve as the crew quarters and house a Type 1 engine while the new apparatus building is constructed later this year. Next up would be an application for a County Special Use Permit (SUP) likely at a Fall 2020 Board of Adjustment (BOA) meeting to begin the new apparatus building construction process. The solicitation of bids for the new apparatus bay building will likely go out in Winter of 2020, with a contract for construction likely let at year’s end and occupancy possibly by late 2021, depending on the economic impact to the District to the COVID19 crisis. The Board approved the sale of bonds to fund this project given now low interest rates.
- Rolling stock additions– The three Type III brush engines have been returned after refurbishment and are in service at several stations now. Refurbishment rather than replacement saved the District about $1.6 million and these engines will now continue in service for 5-8 more years. The five new Type I engines ordered earlier this year are due to be delivered by year-end 2020.
- Open burning/fuels management – Open burning is currently closed and will likely remain closed until late November.
- Staffing and SAFER grants – The current recruit class (9 new firefighters) graduated this week and are now assigned to stations, bringing TMF&R to full staffing. Pending SAFER grants for personal for both career and volunteer staffing are pending a decision by FEMA with an answer likely by mid-September 2020.
- Green Waste collection & Ash can program – Fall 2020 – The Green Waste disposal plan is under development with likely locations in Sun Valley and Spanish Springs with specific Fall 2020 dates to be announced at a future Board meeting and after the COVID-19 crisis subsides. 900 ash cans have been recently deployed to residents requesting same to help mitigate wildfires.
- Poeville Wildfire- June 27, 2020 – This wildfire, which occurred both on private land and USFS land, destroyed about 2000 acres including 8 homes. All TMF&R stations responded with 17 engines, 8 water tenders, 2 dozers and all Chief Officers. Off-duty crews were summoned to duty to man reserve apparatus to cover stations. Carson City, Reno, Sparks, BLM, USFS, NDF and NLTFPD all dispatched resources to assist TMF&R and cover empty stations. Winds were in the 30-50mph range making extinguishment and containment difficult. Air resources were deployed as well.
- Backup EOC – The new TMF&R headquarters building on Barron Way has been approved to be a backup emergency dispatch center and emergency operations center. The building, currently leased, will be purchased later this year and will get a standby generator to complete the equipment needed to serve as the backup facility.
The August 2020 TMFPD Board meeting has been cancelled.
Future TMFPD Board meetings will transition to the first Tuesday of the month and at new time of 1000. Tuesday September 1, 2020 is the date for the next meeting.
Tom Daly
Washoe County Resident