Around the Arch Blog

It’s beginning to feel like Christmas, the feeling of warmth and community. After a fall season of tragedy in the Truckee Meadows, the feeling of holiday reminds me of hope and good spirit. Nothing says community more than a neighbor’s helping hand. That’s exactly what Reno is about, a helping hand to those in need. We rally together and exhibit our strength through our valorous resolve. I’m proud to be a member of this community and am appreciative of all its working components. The Reno Fire Department recently put out a fire in my neighborhood and the professionalism and care was something to be admired. I applaud their quick response from an efficiency standpoint, but truly appreciate their concern and sympathy. The neighborhood came to arms with helping hands and personal affection. It was an extraordinary example of Reno camaraderie.

When moments like this happen, you’re reminded of what a great place the City of Reno is. It’s time to join together and celebrate. Tuesday, November 22, the City of Reno Christmas tree lights are to be switched on signaling the official beginning of the holiday season. The event begins at 5:00 p.m. at Reno’s City Plaza. Please join us.

This free event will feature Santa Claus, carolers, ice skating, and community celebration. The Salvation Army Canteen will be serving free hot chocolate during the ceremony.

The towering 40-foot tree has been moved into its traditional position for the festive season. Adorned in thousand of lights, this year’s giant sequoia was donated by Raley’s Supermarket on Mayberry Avenue.

Flicking the switch at this year’s festivities will be Vice-Mayor Dan Gustin alongside Reno’s City Council.

Following the tree lighting, the Rink on the River will open for a special night of ice skating until 9:00 p.m. Skaters receive free skate rental by donating clothes items to the Salvation Army.

The City Plaza and Ice Rink are located at the corner of First and Virginia Streets in Downtown Reno along the Truckee River.

The event schedule is as follows:
- Billinghurst Middle School Choir sings carols starting at 5:00 p.m.
- Vice-Mayor Dan Gustin and city officials welcome the public at 5:15 p.m.
- Tree lights flipped on by Vice-Mayor Dan Gustin at 5:20 p.m.
- Rink on the River opens 5:30-9 p.m. (weather & ice conditions permitting)

The City’s Fire Department is hoping to get through this holiday weekend without any fires. Reno Fire Marshal Joan Presley says exploding rifle targets have started several fires in this area in the past six weeks. She is warning residents to avoid using the exploding targets while fire conditions are critical this Labor Day weekend. “The exploding targets are dangerous because when you mix the packet into the target and shoot it with a high powered rifle, it detonates. Although the detonation is a pressure wave explosion which cools immediately, area conditions – low humidity and low moisture content of vegetation – are such that it doesn’t take much to spark a brushfire” says Presley.

The reactive targets, “Star Targets”, are sold locally. They only cause an explosion when they are shot with a high powered rifle.

The Truckee Meadows is in a high fire danger. “By the end of the summer everything is very dry and the area tends to get very windy, which can lead to critical fire conditions.” says Presley. She warns residents to be careful with anything that can start a spark in the outdoors.

Presley also notes that, “If someone accidentally starts a fire they should immediately call 911. Suppression costs are not charged for accidental fire starts,” says Presley.

A unique blog post about preparing for a “Zombie Apocalypse” by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gained a lot of attention this week. The site even crashed due to so many visitors! The post was a creative way to teach people about preparing for any emergency.

Even if a zombie attack doesn’t threaten the City of Reno, you can still make sure you and your family prepare for a more likely situation in our area, such as:

- Wildfires (they’re just as scary, and they do happen around here)
- Flooding (see pic of “the big one” that flooded downtown Reno in 1997)
- Earthquakes (we felt one around here a couple years back, and there’s always a potential)

Preparing isn’t hard; it just takes some effort. Check out Reno’s preparedness webpages to learn more. Get a kit, make a plan, be prepared – for anything!

The Reno Police Department led a sweep of the Crest Inn in downtown Reno to investigate criminal and quality of life issues. The teams that went door-to-door at the motel or checked the building included, Reno code enforcement officers and firefighters, Washoe County Health Department staff, OSHA investigators and others.

The Reno Police Department advises there have been seven reports within the past week where a suspect has gone into a business under the pretense of being an inspector. The suspect has not claimed any affiliation with any specific company or governmental entity.

“He has been introducing himself as an inspector, usually stating he is there to inspect a leaky roof or check the fire sprinkler system,” said Lieutenant Mohammad Rafaqat. “To add legitimacy to whom he claims to be, he usually carries a clipboard with papers and red colored camera.” The suspect has been taking, or pretends to take, photos of the roof and works his way into the back of the business. He has been seen exiting the businesses with a coat or jacket over his arm, concealing the victims’ purses under it.

The suspect has targeted businesses with a high of volume of customers which keeps the employees busy at the front of the stores. Typical businesses targeted by the suspect have been Starbucks and hair/nail salons.

The suspect has been described as a white male, 35-45 years of age, and 250 pounds with a heavy build. He may have unknown types of blemishes on his face. He does not wear any official uniform and is usually dressed in jeans. He carries a clipboard and a red colored camera. Please see below the two video stills of the suspect from Starbucks.

Officials with the Reno Fire Department, City of Reno Code Enforcement, and the Reno Police Department offer these prevention tips:

 • Be suspicious of anyone not wearing appropriate credentials.
• Be suspicious of anyone not in appropriate or official uniform.
• Be ware of anyone who shows up unannounced or without and appointment to do an inspection. A legitimate inspector will have an appointment.
• A government inspector will be in uniform and will have proper credentials displayed.
• Always ask for person’s identification and the name of the company they are representing.
• If you are suspicious about someone’s claims, have them wait while you call their company for confirmation.
• DO NOT allow anyone access to the unauthorized areas if you are uncertain about their identity or claims.
• Report suspicious activity or individuals to your local police agency.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to call the Reno Police Department’s Detective Division at 775-334-2115 or the Secret Witness at 775-322-4900.

Members of the Reno Fire Department are visiting grade schools to teach children about smoke detectors, escape plans and what to do if they catch on fire. The education program is part of the Fire Department’s activities to celebrate October as Fire Prevention Month.

In celebration of Fire Prevention Week, the Reno Fire Department is hosting open houses at neighborhood fire stations.

In addition to station tours, residents will get the opportunity to meet with firefighters to learn about firefighting techniques, personal protective clothing and various types of fire apparatus and special emergency equipment utilized by the Reno Fire Department. Fire Prevention Division personnel will also be available to discuss developing home escape plans, use of smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, and general fire prevention techniques for homes and businesses.

The fire station open houses will be held Saturday, October 9 at:

• Reno Fire Station 15 at 110 Quartz Lane (Sun Valley) from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
• Reno Fire Station 14 at 12000 Old Virginia Road (off Damonte Ranch Parkway) from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
• Reno Fire Station 3 at 580 West Moana Lane from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.
• Reno Fire Station 8 at 3600 Kings Row from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

The 2010 National Fire Prevention Week theme is “Smoke Alarms, A Sound You Can Live With.” It serves to remind us all of the simple actions we can take to stay safer from fire year-round through fire safe preparation, having working smoke alarms, and planning and practicing home fire escape plans.

For more information about fire prevention in your home or business, contact the Reno Fire Department’s Division of Fire Prevention at (775) 334-2300.