Board of Fire Commissioners unanimously selects Richard Edwards as Truckee Meadows fire chief

The Board of Fire Commissioners voted unanimously May 5 to offer the permanent fire chief position for the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District to Richard J. Edwards following a full-day series of finalist interviews and public comment. The board instructed Washoe County Human Resources and the district attorney's office to negotiate an employment contract and return the agreement to the board for final appointment.

The decision ends a national recruitment conducted by Bob Murray & Associates that drew interest from dozens of applicants. Julie Pahulke of Washoe County Human Resources told commissioners the process gave finalists 45 minutes each — including a five‑minute opening statement — and that the search produced a diverse applicant pool. "Sixty‑nine individuals from 16 states expressed interest in the position," Stephanie Dietz of Bob Murray & Associates told the board during an overview of the recruitment.

The hire follows a public comment period in which several Washoe…