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Reno Fire Chief details new firefighter PPE, airport rescue rig and facility dog after council approvals
Summary
Reno Fire Chief Dave Cochran explained why the council-approved purchase of personal protective equipment is ongoing maintenance, outlined features of a new airport aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle that carries 1,600 gallons and uses PFAS-free foam, and introduced Lambeau, a facility dog to support first responders and victims.
Reno Fire Chief Dave Cochran said the Reno City Council’s recent approval to purchase personal protective equipment, or PPE, reinforces ongoing efforts to keep firefighters safe on the job.
“PPE is actually an acronym for personal protective equipment, and we wear that…on nearly every call we go to,” Chief Cochran said, describing turnout gear, helmets, gloves, boots, hoods and breathing apparatus that protect firefighters from heat, smoke and debris. He said properly fitted gear improves mobility and confidence and noted a fully equipped firefighter can carry more than 50 pounds of equipment before handling tools or hoses.
The council approved the PPE purchase as part of routine replacement and maintenance, Cochran said, explaining that gear has a limited lifespan and can be damaged by extreme heat, contamination and repeated use. “We need to have it on site available to be replaced,” he said, crediting department logistics staff for researching lighter and more effective options such as newer hoods.
Chief Cochran also described a new aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) vehicle placed in service at Station 15 at Reno-Tahoe International Airport. The rig, which replaces an older ARFF vehicle, carries about 1,600 gallons of water and is equipped with PFAS-free foam, he said. The airport purchases and owns specialized airport firefighting rigs; Reno Fire Department personnel operate them under a partnership arrangement.
“We are on the cutting edge in terms of deploying PFAS-free foam,” Cochran said, adding that the upgrade provides enhanced firefighting and rescue capabilities for the airport and the city.
Cochran introduced Lambeau, a facility dog assigned to support first responders and victims. “Lambeau is awesome,” he said, noting the dog has been with the department about a month and is trained to help both responders exposed to trauma and people affected by incidents.
The interview placed the PPE purchase, the ARFF replacement and the facility dog in the context of broader workforce and public-safety investments. The hosts directed listeners to council materials at reno.gov/meetings for the formal record of approvals.
The podcast did not provide contract amounts, vendor names, or vote tallies for the council actions; those details appear in official meeting records.
