Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting – November 4, 2025

The Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District Board of Fire Commissioners met on November 4, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at 1001 E. 9th Street, Reno, Nevada. Chair Alexis Hill presided. The meeting included a presentation from the National Weather Service, awards for employees and citizens, reports from the Fire Chief and IAFF Local 2487, a financial status update, and unanimous approval of the consent calendar and a block vote on items 11–15. The meeting adjourned at 10:58 a.m.

Consent Calendar

• Item 5A: Approved the minutes from the October 7, 2025, meeting.
• Item 5B: Approved freezing one unclassified/appointed Fire Deputy Chief of Fire Prevention position and revising the Fire Marshal class specification and position with a salary range of $144,560–$184,496.
• Item 5C: Approved canceling the regularly scheduled December 2, 2025, meeting and rescheduling to December 16, 2025, at 9 a.m.
• Item 5D: Approved a Memorandum of Understanding with IAFF Local 2487 covering multiple collective bargaining agreement articles, including specialty pay increase (from 5% to 5.75% retroactive to July 1, 2024), seniority clarification, medical plan options, temporary OPEB suspension, reduced pay for working out of classification (from 10% to 5% for Non-Supervisory & Wildland, from 15% to 5% for Supervisory), and temporary suspension of Officer Development School and testing for Captain and Battalion Chief positions.

Awards and Recognition

Division Chief Joe Shum presented the following awards:

• Clinical Excellence Awards to four crews for life-saving actions on dates including May 19, July 17, and September 7, 2025. Recipients: Captain Randy Gates, Engineer Anthony Schiro, Firefighter Paramedic Blake Miller, Firefighter Paramedic Ryan Rutter; Engineer Mike Lambert, Engineer Geno Higman, Firefighter Paramedic Jeff Bode, Firefighter Paramedic John Williams; Captain David Curns, Engineer Travis Johnson, Firefighter Paramedic Cameron Chappell, Firefighter Paramedic Aaron Reynolds; Captain Noekeef Henry, Engineer Shad Vetrock, Firefighter Paramedic Andrew Mann, Firefighter Paramedic Brian Kellor, Firefighter/EMT Austin Fotinos.
• Meritorious Conduct Commendation to Firefighter/EMT Juris Vaskovskis for guiding a Russian-speaking driver to safety during a vehicle fire on September 7, 2025.
• Chief's Medal of Commendation to Chris Padgett and Bryan McPhail (Pinnacle Yard and Home Solutions) for pulling a burning vehicle from under a carport and suppressing fire on September 15, 2025.

Presentation: National Weather Service Winter Weather Outlook

Tim Bardsley, senior service hydrologist, presented the winter weather outlook. Key points:

• A high wind warning was issued for November 5, 2025, with winds of 60–100 mph in prone areas.
• Most of northern Nevada is drought-free; soil moisture is above normal.
• A weak La Niña is expected through winter (55% chance for December–February), with equal chances of precipitation for the Reno area and a slight tilt toward warmer temperatures.
• The National Weather Service provides briefings, watches, warnings, and digital forecast resources.

Reports

• IAFF Local 2487 Report: President Jim Clauser reported that the Reno Rodeo raised over $60,000 for the foundation, announced the Christmas Toy Drive (through December 15) and a “Fill the Engine” event November 29–30. Clauser announced his retirement in Q2 2026 and thanked the board and Chief Edwards for collaboration.
• Fire Chief Report: Chief Richard Edwards provided updates: Station 35 construction continues (completion late spring/early summer 2026); Station 37 is complete with a ribbon cutting scheduled for November 12, 2025; a new Type 3 fire engine was delivered. September 2025 response statistics showed a decrease of 207 calls and a more than 90% reduction in fires (21 fires).
• Financial Status Presentation: Chief Fiscal Officer Cindy Vance reported that as of September 30, 2025, general fund revenues are slightly under budget due to timing, but property taxes are at 36.3% of budget (above the 34.8% average). Consolidated taxes were impacted by a state IT issue but the October payment was larger. Expenditures are on track.

Key Outcomes

• The board unanimously approved the consent calendar.
• The board unanimously approved a block vote for items 11–15:
  • Item 11: Adopted Ending Fund Balance Policy (P405.0B) setting a goal of unassigned fund balance between 17% and 20% of budgeted annual expenditures.
  • Item 12: Accepted a U.S. Forest Service subaward grant (up to $197,125, $38,000 match) for hazard fuels mitigation on Arrowcreek HOA and Club at Arrowcreek property, expiring September 30, 2028.
  • Item 13: Accepted a U.S. Forest Service subaward grant (up to $284,220, $52,000 match) for additional hazard fuels mitigation in the same area, expiring September 30, 2028.
  • Item 14: Accepted a Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation grant of $39,120 for 80 pairs of Globe Onyx structural firefighting boots.
  • Item 15: Approved a Health Benefits Program for employees, dependents, and retirees (estimated total $2.7 million) for calendar year 2026, and authorized the Chair to execute related contracts.
• The board acknowledged announcements including the start of open burning season (November 3, 2025, through April 3, 2026), and Operation Greenlight (November 4–11) to support veterans. Commissioner Andriola suggested lighting fire stations green in future years.
• No public comments were made at either public comment period.