Commission approves temporary EMS contract for Gerlach; volunteers and state regulators raise questions about coverage and facilities

Washoe County commissioners voted June 17 to approve a contract with Royal Ambulance Inc. to provide emergency medical services to the Gerlach area effective July 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027, at an annual cost of $603,000.

County staff said the agreement is intended to prevent a July 1 service gap after a prior tribal partner withdrew its commitment. Assistant County Manager Dave Solaro told the board the county considered several options — including paid county personnel and other contractors — before recommending Royal, and said the contract was crafted to fit budget constraints while delivering the service the local community prioritized: around-the-clock paramedic coverage. "This is the best I could come up with in a short period of time to provide what the community has told me," Solaro said.

Gerlach residents and volunteer firefighters who spoke at the meeting supported an interim solution but urged the county to resolve multiple outstanding items before services begin. Lisa Nash, president of the current Gerlach Volunteer Fire Department, said the contract leaves the volunteers' relationship to the station and to apparatus unclear, and asked…