Truckee Meadows honors retiring Chief Charles A. Moore; approves Station 35 construction agreements

Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District commissioners on Jan. 7 recognized outgoing Fire Chief Charles A. Moore for 12 years of service and unanimously approved several agreements to move forward on construction of Fire Station 35, including a memorandum of understanding with Apple and construction contracts.

The board read a formal resolution honoring Moore and members of the public and partner agencies offered tributes; the meeting also produced unanimous votes to accept a $1,000 donation, approve a phase‑3 MOU for Station 35 cost apportionment, award a construction manager at‑risk contract, approve a materials‑testing and special inspections agreement, and appoint Deputy Fire Chief Dale Wei as interim fire chief effective Jan. 25, 2025.

The resolution recognizing Chief Charles A. Moore (Resolution TM01‑2025) was read aloud by Deputy Fire Chief Dale Wei. Josh Kuts, captain and trustee with International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2487, lauded Moore’s leadership and cited operational changes during Moore’s tenure, saying, "Your vision, mission, and values have become a cornerstone of this district." Moore told the board, "I'm gonna miss this place. Thank you. It's been an honor to serve. That's all I got." Barry Duplantis, president and CEO of REMSA, read a plaque inscription thanking Moore "for your partnership and work as a dedicated public servant." Washoe County Manager Eric Brown presented a county friendship coin and described Moore as "generous with his time" during emergencies such as last summer's fires.

On capital projects, Chief Moore and staff described Station 35 as a near‑term priority. Moore said the district's share of additional program costs for the project is "about a 1,600,000 thereabouts" for one extra apparatus bay and additional bedrooms, and he said Apple will fund the lion's share—"probably at least, you know, 90% of the project." The board approved a phase‑3 memorandum of understanding among Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, Washoe County and Apple Incorporated that defines funding, construction management, inspections and cost apportionment and authorized staff to finalize cost‑apportionment details subject to the chair’s final review. The motion to approve the MOU was moved by Commissioner Clara Andreola and seconded by Commissioner Mary Lou Garcia and passed unanimously.

The board also approved an owner construction manager at‑risk agreement with Planning and Builders Incorporated for the construction of Station 35. The construction manager contract was described in the meeting as for a total project cost of $16,000,000,329 as read into the record; the board voted to approve the agreement unanimously. Commissioners additionally approved a professional services agreement with Construction Materials Engineers Incorporated for construction management, certified IBC special inspections, material testing and commissioning services in the amount of $362,852.50; Moore said Apple asked that the commissioning portion be removed, which would reduce cost. That agreement was approved unanimously and the chief was authorized to approve work as needed under the contract.

The board accepted a $1,000 monetary donation from Audrey C. Heck in support of Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District; the motion was moved by Commissioner Clara Andreola, seconded by Commissioner Mary Lou Garcia and approved unanimously. The board also voted to appoint Deputy Fire Chief Dale Wei as interim fire chief effective Jan. 25, 2025, approve a 10% increase in his annual base salary for a total annual salary of $297,829 for the term of the interim appointment, and preserve the terms of his current employment agreement. That motion passed unanimously after a motion by Commissioner Andreola and a second from Commissioner Garcia.

In his chief's report, Moore summarized recent wildfire responses and credited regional partners, saying that mobilized mutual‑aid resources and containment lines limited the damage during the Davis and Gold Ranch incidents. He described accomplishments during his tenure, including integrating paramedics into engine companies, establishing a wildfire and fuels reduction division, developing an in‑house fleet maintenance program and finalizing automatic aid agreements with neighboring agencies. Moore also reported that construction work on Hidden Valley station is expected to take about 12 months and that Washoe Valley station plans are moving forward with an upcoming architect meeting.

Public commenters and partner agency representatives offered remarks honoring Moore and thanking him for his leadership. Barry Duplantis of REMSA presented a plaque and praised the partnership between REMSA and the district. Washoe County Manager Eric Brown and longtime resident and former county employee Maureen O'Brien each spoke to the district's early stand‑up in 2012 and the cooperative work with county staff to create the district.

Votes at a glance: • Accept donation from Audrey C. Heck ($1,000): Motion moved by Commissioner Clara Andreola; seconded by Commissioner Mary Lou Garcia; outcome: approved unanimously. • Approve Phase 3 MOU with Washoe County and Apple Incorporated (Station 35 cost apportionment): Motion moved by Commissioner Clara Andreola; seconded by Commissioner Mary Lou Garcia; outcome: approved unanimously. District share for added program elements stated as about $1,600,000; Apple described as funding ~90%. • Approve owner construction manager at‑risk agreement with Planning and Builders Incorporated (Station 35): Motion moved by Commissioner Clara Andreola; seconded by Commissioner Mary Lou Garcia; outcome: approved unanimously. Project cost stated in the record as $16,000,000,329. • Approve professional services agreement with Construction Materials Engineers Incorporated ($362,852.50): Motion moved by Commissioner Clara Andreola; seconded by Commissioner Mary Lou Garcia; outcome: approved unanimously. Commissioning portion reported removed at Apple’s request. • Appoint Deputy Fire Chief Dale Wei as interim fire chief (effective Jan. 25, 2025) and approve 10% temporary salary increase to $297,829: Motion moved by Commissioner Clara Andreola; seconded by Commissioner Mary Lou Garcia; outcome: approved unanimously.

The board scheduled a closed session later in the meeting. The session closed after reading the resolution and brief public comments; no additional policy actions were taken on the recognition item. The district will proceed with finalizing Station 35 agreements and related work as authorized by the approved motions.