WASHOE COUNTY, Nev. — A small town nine-person volunteer fire department in Nevada resigned mid-December.
Reno Gazette-Journal reported that officials will send a two-person crew to oversee fire and medical emergency services at the Gerlach (Nev.) Volunteer Fire Department. The short-term plan will be effective Dec. 31. Officials are working on a long-term plan to put into place within four to six weeks.
“Having that volunteer department going dark is not an option,” Washoe County Manager John Slaughter said.
The department costs the county less than $50,000 annually.
“First and foremost, please know that I respect the decision of Chief Willard Gooch and the members of his department; I have the highest regard for the dedication and exemplary service the Gerlach Volunteer Fire Department members have provided the community,” Slaughter said. “I want to assure the residents of Gerlach that Washoe County is working to provide a seamless transition and continuation of fire and emergency medical service in Gerlach and the surrounding area beginning of December 31, 2015.”
Volunteers cited frustration with a neighboring fire district as one of the reasons for their unified resignation. They also cited the demands of regular training and the constant upkeep of the department.
Chief Gooch said they warned the county a year ago it was getting to be too much.
“It just got so demanding on the volunteers, that we have to do all the training that the paid people do — pass all the physicals, everything — and with us having real jobs in other places, it’s just too hard to do,” Chief Gooch said.