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Gerlach EMS and fire coverage uncertain after June; county pursuing REMSA, Royal and other options
Summary
Washoe County and local first responders briefed the CAB on multiple staffing shortfalls and continuing negotiations to secure EMS and fire coverage after a tribal contract expires June 30. County Manager Eric Brown said staff are in active talks with REMSA, Royal and other providers and are planning options for continuity at 12:01 a.m. July 1.
Washoe County officials and local emergency responders told the Gerlach Community Advisory Board that local EMS and fire coverage remains in flux as existing support extends only through June 30 and the county pursues multiple options for July 1 and beyond.
"I was aware. I am actively meeting with the County... right now it's still in its infancy planning, but I am actively in conversation with the county to make sure we have a plan in place, for 12:01AM on July 1," Washoe County Manager Eric Brown said.
Gerlach's on-scene EMS and fire updates came from Captain Pritchard, who reported recent calls and the region's mutual-aid usage. He said the department had four calls in the previous month, two transports (one by CareFlight and one ground transport to Reno), and that a transport vehicle had broken down and was met by Pyramid Lake personnel. He also described training and a recent HAZMAT refresher.
Pritchard outlined current coverage: Pyramid Lake extended its contract through June 30; Gerlach now faces brownouts two days a week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) but has coverage Thursday through Monday. "We are not back at full service again. We are down to only having 2 days of brownout, which are Tuesdays and Wednesdays now, but we're now covered from Thursday through Monday," he said.
Brown told the board the county is discussing contracts with REMSA (which has operated in Tonopah under a similar model) and Royal Ambulance Company. He said REMSA appears most eager and that discussions include models where crews rotate into remote communities for multi-day shifts and where REMSA might hire local staff who already work in Gerlach. "That is probably the model that would work... They go up for a certain period of time... and then they have people come relieve them, and they go back down in the rotation," Brown said.
Russell Beyerly and other board members expressed concern that remote agencies might not know the local area as well as resident crews. Brown said REMSA has discussed hiring local personnel who have experience in Gerlach.
Captain Pritchard also said Truckee Meadows ambulance was loaning equipment after a breakdown, and that top priority is sustaining ALS coverage. No final contract was announced at the meeting; officials said talks and vetting of providers will continue and that the county expects to present more concrete options in coming weeks.
The discussion included logistics, possible staffing models, and concerns around continuity of fire service separate from EMS. Brown said regional dispatch and franchise agreements could simplify contracting and reduce start-up barriers for outside providers.
No formal vote or binding contract was approved at the CAB meeting; county staff and local chiefs said planning is ongoing.
