Letter from County Manager to Gerlach residents

TMFPD firefighters and paramedics will be placed in Gerlach.

Reno, Nevada. Dec. 24, 2015. I want to take this opportunity to provide information to the Gerlach community regarding recent developments in fire and emergency medical services. Members of the Gerlach Volunteer Fire Department, including the Volunteer Chief, Volunteer Assistant Chief and the Volunteer Firefighters recently tendered their resignations effective December 31, 2015.  First and foremost, please know that I respect the decision of Chief Gooch and the members of his department; I have the highest regard for the dedication and exemplary service the Gerlach Volunteer Fire Department members have provided the community. 

I want to assure the residents of Gerlach that Washoe County is working to provide a seamless transition and continuation of fire and emergency medical service in Gerlach and the surrounding area beginning December 31, 2015. Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District Chief Charlie Moore and I have discussed the issue extensively and are working on short-term and long-term plans for fire/EMS service in your community. 

The short-term plan will place Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District firefighters and paramedics in Gerlach 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide this service. This arrangement will be in place for up to six weeks while we finalize a long-term plan for fire and EMS service in Gerlach. 

The long-term plan is still in discussion, but may include adding staff resources to help recruit, train and retain volunteers. The goal of the long-term plan is a sustainable fire and emergency medical service in Gerlach that maintains the high level of service the community is accustomed to from the Gerlach Volunteer Fire Department.

Sincerely,

John Slaughter

Washoe County Manager