Truckee Meadows Fire mourns loss of Battalion Chief Rizzuto; commissioners seek peer-support briefing

Commissioners and staff spent part of the meeting addressing the recent deaths of Battalion Chief Rizzuto and his wife Danielle, asking the public to contribute to a fund established for the family and directing staff to provide more information on peer support for first responders.

Division and agency leaders described the districts peer-support response following the tragedy, saying Truckee Meadows Fire stood up internal peer-support teams and received assistance from neighboring agencies, the Washoe County Sheriff's Office, Reno and Sparks fire departments, and the International Association of Fire Fighters' national peer-support team. Chief Richard Edwards said those mutual-aid peer resources helped check in on impacted members and will be part of an after-action review to refine the districts response.

Commissioner Clark asked for a future report detailing the tools available for peer support, and Commissioner Garcia requested statistics on violent incidents (stabbings, shootings, vehicle strikes) that the department has responded to, to better understand long-term mental-health impacts on staff. Chief Edwards said staff will provide a briefing and that mental health and well-being are top priorities. Commissioners also noted a fundraising page run by the Truckee Meadows Firefighters Foundation and encouraged donations, saying the foundation will direct 100% of funds raised to surviving children.

The board observed a minute of silence at the close of the public meeting and offered holiday wishes to the community.