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Truckee Meadows Fire Division Chief reports staffing, burn permits and green‑waste changes
Summary
Division Chief Joe Shum updated the Spanish Springs CAB on call volumes at Station 46, mutual‑aid arrangements, open burning rules and the suspension of spring green‑waste drop‑offs due to backlog.
Joe Shum, division chief for Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue, told the Spanish Springs Community Advisory Board that Station 46 on La Posada Drive averages about 86 calls per month and that the district runs an additional 35–40 monthly automatic/mutual‑aid calls into the City of Sparks.
Shum said March’s calls included 51 medical responses and traffic accidents; other responses were good intent, hazardous conditions and false alarms. He described mutual‑aid arrangements with Sparks and REMSA to float ambulances as needed and said the district owns land it could use for a larger station in the future. “We bought some land preemptively a few years ago knowing we might have to build a bigger fire station and expand,” Shum said.
He announced that open burning for the spring began April 1 and that county residents still must secure a burn permit (available at tmfpd.us). He also said spring green‑waste drop‑off is suspended this season because crews are still processing a backlog from fall and prior seasons; residents can use Sutro transfer station or Lockwood drop‑offs, Shum said.
On staffing, Shum said the district is fully staffed on ambulances and engine crews after a recent academy graduation, but the department is recruiting paramedics who want to become firefighters in anticipation of retirements. He mentioned one recent battalion chief retirement and said newly promoted staff will be introduced at a future meeting.
Residents asked about adding a second ambulance or engine at La Posada; Shum replied that automatic and mutual aid, plus REMSA ambulances and nearby Sparks coverage, are used to maintain coverage and that Sun Valley or other stations will automatically be dispatched if Station 46 is unavailable.
Ending: Shum urged residents to obtain burn permits, noted ongoing fuels work with NV Energy and other partners, and said recruitment continues in preparation for anticipated retirements.
