Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District Board Meeting - February 3, 2026
Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting - February 3, 2026
The Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District (TMFPD) Board of Fire Commissioners met on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the Washoe County Commission Chambers. The meeting was called to order by Chair Clara Andriola with all five commissioners present (Andriola, Garcia, Hill, Clark, Herman), along with Fire Chief Richard Edwards and Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Gustafson. The meeting included awards, a union report, a fire chief’s report, a financial presentation, and a closed session on labor issues.
Consent Calendar
- Item 5A: Approved the meeting minutes from December 16, 2025.
- Item 5B: Authorized a $45,000 increase to Blanket Purchase Order #7500004856 with CMC Tire, Inc., from $95,000 to $140,000, utilizing Nevada State Contract pricing.
- Item 5C: Approved updated mitigation rates for emergency services deployment billed through Fire Recovery USA, LLC, per Resolution TM09-2021 and the corresponding “Exhibit A.”
- Item 5D: Approved a $91,022.50 change order to Purchase Order #6500006524 with Construction Materials Engineers (CME) for additional inspection, testing, and construction management services at Fire Station #35, reallocating funds from Plenium Builders within the existing project budget. All consent items were approved unanimously on a motion by Commissioner Herman, seconded by Commissioner Hill.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made during the public comment periods at the beginning or end of the meeting, nor during the consent agenda.
Awards and Recognition (Item 6 & 10 Combined)
- Partnership Award: Presented to Waste Management for donating 16 dumpsters (valued at $8,000) and logistical support for the TMFPD Green Waste Program, which has collected and processed several million pounds of vegetation over six years.
- Chief’s Letter of Commendation: Awarded to Joan Olson and Sue Davis of Ironwood Equestrian Events Center for hosting firewise events, large animal evacuation trainings, and serving as an incident command post during the Perry and Ironwood fires.
- Chief’s Letter of Commendation: Awarded to Julie Brandt and Model Farms for supporting community emergency education events and allowing volunteer use of land for fuels management projects over six years.
- Chief’s Letter of Recognition: Awarded to Red Rock Volunteer Fire Station members Doug Hulsebus, Steven Harvey, and Scott Pageau for their actions during the August 14, 2025 Rancho Fire, which burned nearly 1,500 acres. Their rapid engagement protected four primary residences off Chariot Road and Prairie Dog Court.
- Fire Chief’s Leadership Award: Presented to Firefighter Paramedic Alexander Doerr and Engineer Anthony Schiro for spearheading the annual toy drive and expanding it to include neighborhood Santa Parades throughout the county in December 2025.
- Promotional Badge Pinning: Fire Inspectors Andrew Royat and Victor Olmedo were recognized after completing their initial probationary year, including training at the National Fire Academy and International Code Council exams.
International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2487 Report (Item 7)
- Vice President Jamie Rivera introduced new union President Mark Thyer, a captain with TMFPD since 2012, who expressed commitment to maintaining a cooperative relationship with the board.
- Alex Doerr, President of the Truckee Meadows Firefighter Foundation, reported on the foundation’s fall activities: the toy drive partnered with Renown Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House, distributing toys and gifts; a food drive donated over 2,000 pounds of food to the Food Bank of Northern Nevada; adoption of three families (about 15 people) through the Children’s Cabinet; and support for children at the Kids’ Cottage. He also noted the foundation continues to support the family of a battalion chief and his wife who were tragically killed.
Fire Chief Report (Item 8)
- Chief Richard Edwards provided an operational update:
- Training: The training division collaborated with Reno and Sparks fire departments to develop regional standard operating guidelines, culminating in multi-agency live fire training evolutions at an acquired structure in Spanish Springs on February 2–3, 2026.
- Budget Timeline: The FY27 budget process is underway; a preliminary tentative budget will be presented to the board on April 7, 2026, after final revenue projections become available in March.
- Fuels Grant: The district received $373,000 in disaster relief funding from Nevada State Lands and the U.S. Forest Service over three years to treat 90 acres of fuel on 17 private properties in southwest Washoe Valley above Franktown Road.
- December 2025 Response Statistics: Total incidents: 1,762. EMS calls: 916. Fire calls: 17. Mutual aid: TMFPD provided 284 calls to Reno and 82 to Sparks; Reno provided 99 calls to TMFPD, and Sparks provided 28 calls to TMFPD.
- Commissioner Clark inquired about auto aid with Carson City. Chief Edwards confirmed an automatic aid agreement: Carson City sometimes responds to southern Washoe Valley, and TMFPD responds to northern Carson City. Specific numbers were not available but will be provided.
- Vice Chair Garcia asked about a pallet fire in Sun Valley two weeks prior. Chief Edwards stated the fire is under active investigation by Reno Fire investigators and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Department.
Financial Presentation (Item 9)
- New CFO Crystal Sublett (four weeks and two days on the job) presented the Fiscal Year 2025–2026 General Fund and Capital Project Funds status as of December 31, 2025.
- General Fund revenues: $25.2 million, or 45.8% of budget. Primary revenue: property taxes ($17.5 million, 58.5% of budget). Consolidated tax payments: $4.1 million, 35.4% of budget.
- General Fund expenditures: 43.5% of budget, favorable. Salaries and benefits: $20.3 million, 44.5% of budget. Services and supplies: $2.5 million, 32.7% of budget.
- Revenues are tracking as expected; the third property tax installment was received in January (not reflected in December statements), and the fourth installment is due in March.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (5-0).
- Awards and Recognition: All awards and commendations were presented and accepted.
- Union Report: Heard; no action taken.
- Fire Chief Report: Received as information; no action taken.
- Financial Presentation: Received as information; no action taken.
- Closed Session: The board adjourned the public meeting and moved to a closed session upstairs at approximately 11:30 a.m. to discuss labor issues pursuant to NRS 288.220. Public comment was invited after the closed session.
- Future Agenda Items: Commissioner Garcia noted the fire study board (Emergent Global Solutions and Dennis Solutions) presented at a meeting on February 2, 2026, with an ambitious timeline to complete a study by November/December 2026. Outreach to stakeholders and the public will follow.
- Chief’s Announcement: Chief Edwards urged residents to take advantage of mild weather to harden homes and clear fuels, noting the limited rainfall and approaching fire season. Information is available at tmfpd.us.
Meeting Transcript
It's 10 a.m. And I'd like to call the Trekkie Meadows Fire Protection District Board of Fire Commissioners meeting to order at 10 a.m. on uh Tuesday, February 3rd. And if we could I'd like to ask Mr. Daly if he would lead us in the salute to the flag. To the republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible for the liberty and brought thank you. We'll move to roll call, please. Chair Andreola present. Vice Chair Garcia? Here. Commissioner Hill. Here. Commissioner Clark. Present. Commissioner Herman. Here. DA Jen Gustipson. Present. And Fire Chief Richard Edwards. Here. Madam, you have a quorum. Thank you. We'll move now to public comment. So public comment. Comment heard under this item will be limited to three minutes per person and may pertain to matters both on and off the board of fire commissioners agenda. However, action may not be taken on any matter raised during this public comment period until the matter is specifically listed on an agenda as an action item. The board will also hear public comment during individual action items with comment limited to three minutes per person. Comments are to be made to the board of fire commissioners as a whole. Thank you. There's nobody signed in. Thank you. We'll move now to item number four, Commissioner and Fire Chief's announcements. Do we have any announcements, Chief Edwards? Yes, if uh Madam Chair, if I may ask that we combine item 10 with item six. Great. Anything else? All right. Commissioner Clark. Thank you, Madam Chair. I just uh wanted to share with the uh the public that uh I was able to go out yesterday for a uh watch uh a fire training uh uh some evolutions out in uh Spanish Springs with uh with a house out there and uh I was able to uh observe that for a couple hours and uh uh battalion chief witlock was my uh my handler for lack of a better word taking me out and showing me and uh what was taking place and explaining the situation uh uh battalion chief black was uh one of the uh folks in charge out there and I got a chat with him and just couldn't be prouder of of the training the the precision the execution the way that every single uh detail was was uh uh um accounted for and made sure that people were safe and um everything that took place and I know it was a training for uh just a training uh not just a training but a training and actual training and and the hands on training and it was just very impressive to watch the professionalism of the uh of the firefighter so it was a good day thank you chief for uh getting getting me an invitation to go out to that and then I also wanted to give a uh uh uh compliment to uh Nevada Peer support network Charlie uh Tabano I got to meet with him and he showed me what he does to support the uh the actual uh working line men on the line and then women on the line of the uh fire service so uh just a a real good day very very informative and thank you for for that opportunity thank you commissioner hill commissioner Garcia Commissioner Herman Chief Edwards yes I'm sorry madam chair uh one other item is it possible to move item 11 after item 13 maybe uh for efficiency the closed session item yes thank you great anything else we could go down again and see all right hearing no other comments or announcements we'll move now to item five which is a consent agenda does anybody have any questions on any items or want anything pulled hearing none I'll entertain a motion at this time second great we have a motion by commissioner herman a second by commissioner hill all those in favor signify by saying aye madam chair madam chair yeah can we ask for a public comment please oh thank you there is none thank you um okay great so we have a motion and we have second any discussion hearing none all those in favor signify by saying aye aye aye any opposed motion carries unanimously we'll move now thank you to item number six and as chief edwards mentioned we are going to combine item six and item 10 so chief edwards thank you um if i could bring up chief eisenhagen and i will join them down at the podium for awards and recognition We'll move now. Thank you to item number six. And as Chief Edwards mentioned, we are going to combine item six and item 10. So, Chief Edwards. Thank you. Um, if I could bring up Chief Eisenhagen, and I will join them down at the podium for awards and recognition. Good morning. Uh, for the record, August Eisenhagen, Division Chief, Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue. I have four sets of recognition and awards that I will be handing out, and then I'll turn it over to uh back over to Chief. First off, um, we'd like to recognize waste management, one of our partners.
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