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Commissioner, sheriff and fire chief report calls, patrols and a grant application for pre-hospital care
Summary
County Commissioner Dave Hockaday and public-safety officials updated the CAB on recent community incidents and services: Sheriff’s Lt. Vandiver provided call and traffic-stop data and described MOST team transports for mental-health incidents; Fire Chief Matt Nightingale reported 110 calls year-to-date, an RV fire, closed open-burning season and a grant application for pre-hospital staffing and equipment.
County Commissioner Dave Hockaday began the community reports on May 6 by thanking the July 4th committee for a well-attended event and noting Hillcrest Cemetery cleanup efforts.
Lt. J. Vandiver of the sheriff’s office told the board there have been 27 calls for service in Smith Valley since January and 78 traffic stops. “MOST team will take individuals for transport, don’t arrest,” Vandiver said, adding that officers sometimes must use restraints for safety. He also said the sheriff’s office ordered an additional speed trailer and has focused patrols in Smith Valley.
Fire Chief Matt Nightingale reported 110 calls to date and described operational details: an RV fire earlier that day, the close of open-burning season on April 30, purchase of an administrative building for fire operations, ongoing wildland-training efforts, and training tomorrow with the Battle Born helicopter. Nightingale said the department applied for a state grant to fund pre-hospital care staffing and equipment — specifically two full-time positions and two Zoll monitors — and noted the department’s annual BBQ on July 11 will proceed with tickets sold online this year.
Residents asked follow-up questions about helicopter coverage and air-ambulance reciprocity; Leslie Sonne said Careflight and REMSA are not reciprocal and urged residents to consider coverage options. Chair Rusty Williams and others thanked the fire and sheriff’s departments for their service.
Why it matters: Local public-safety staffing, transport capability and equipment affect emergency response times and outcomes in rural areas. The grant application for pre-hospital care would add personnel and monitoring equipment if funded.
