Nearly three years since the City of Reno and Washoe County deconsolidated their fire services, the two sides are discussing the possibility of a long-term solution for fire protection in the region.
"We all share the same fundamental belief that we are here to serve," Reno Fire Department Chief Michael Hernandez said.
The so-called fire divorce happened in 2012, but the two sides could be making amends to improve fire safety.
"You can clearly see, right now, it's broken," Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve said Monday, "And a lot of that had to do with political in-fighting and it's just got to stop."
Senate Bill 185 is being discussed in the Nevada Legislature. It would require automatic aid in Washoe County, meaning the closest fire station would respond to a fire, regardless of jurisdiction. Still, many questions remain, including how different agencies train, whether they have 3 or 4-man crews, and funding. The city and county have different tax structures.
"Those are all issues that can be worked out," Marsha Berkbigler, Washoe County Commissioner said. "We just simply have to sit down as a team and do it. We have got to figure out a way to make sure that our citizens, our residents are safe."
While most agree that automatic aid is a step in the right direction, some say it could have some unintended consequences.
"We could look at potential larger response districts, longer response times, possibly impacting our insurance rates," Hernandez said. "And if we're strategic, we can minimize those impacts."
That's why the creation of a regional fire district could be in the works. It would include all of Washoe County.
"If we're going to talk about saving people's lives, it's only fair to provide the best possible service," Schieve said. "And that means consolidation. It will save the taxpayers and it will save people's lives."
Regionalizing would also mean aligning the dispatch system to get everyone on the same page.
"We need to make sure that when residents call dispatch, we're moving forward in a uniform way with all responders," Hernandez said.
Hernandez says he would like to see a regional plan that would also include police and EMS.
"We're experiencing growth, we're seeing a new dynamic in our community, and that model would certainly fit and be applicable as we move forward and grow," Hernandez said.
A consolidation model could also include Sparks and Incline Village. The city council will look into a long-term model and possible ways to implement it. They plan on meeting again for this issue by the end of April.
