Around the Arch Blog

A group of Reno firefighters are going bald on St. Patrick’s Day to support Children’s Cancer Research and Research Grants.

The firefighters have already surpassed their fundraising goal of $5,000 and are hoping to raise more through Wednesday’s Shamrock Shave event.

Read more about the firefighter’s efforts by going to the City of Reno’s website at www.reno.gov and following the “Newsroom” link.

This is one device you really want to be in working order in case a fire emergency strikes. We change to daylight saving time on Sunday which is a great time to change the batteries in your smoke alarms.

Learn more about this and newer smoke alarm technology by visiting the “Newsroom” link on the City of Reno’s website at www.reno.gov.

On this Council Connection, Reno Council Member Dave Aiazzi discusses the Fire Department’s response to medical emergencies and other fire issues, as well as the need for residents to get involved in the budget process. The City is facing a more than $15 million budget shortfall for fiscal year 2010-2011. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvoAH6zWrAg]

The Reno City Council Wednesday confirmed the appointment of Michael Hernandez as Chief of the Reno Fire Department effective March 15 and welcomed him to the community. Hernandez becomes the 14th chief of the Reno Fire Department since the department was organized under the City Charter in 1903.

To learn more about the Reno Fire Department’s new chief, please go to the City of Reno’s website at www.reno.gov and follow the “Newsroom” link.

The Reno City Council approved the appointment of Michael Hernandez as the new Reno Fire Chief. His fire service career spans 28 years with the Corpus Christi Fire Department where he serves as deputy chief. Hernandez takes over as chief on March 15th. Tim Alameda has been Interim Chief while the City conducted a job search for the position.

Reno firefighters are helping take the bite out of last Thursday’s Berrum Place apartment fire in which a dog was overcome by smoke and needed veterinary attention.

To read more about how Reno firefighters are helping with this incident, and how they help others in the community that face the trauma of fire or other emergencies, log onto the City of Reno’s website at www.reno.gov and follow the ‘Newsroom’ link.

First, they quickly extinguished the fire that broke out in Kristen Fuller’s rented house three days before Christmas and now Reno firefighters are helping her put her life back together.

To read more about this incident and the little-known Reno Firefighters’ Community Assistance Program (CAP), please log on to the City of Reno’s website at www.reno.gov and follow the “Newsroom” link.

During the December 16, 2009, Reno City Council Meeting, Employee Recognition Committee Chairperson Cara Stewart and Committee Member Karen Rudy presented the Employee of the Quarter Awards. Employees of the City choose their peers for the awards based on the City’s core values of Respect, Responsibility, Responsiveness and Results.

There are four categories: 1. Across Departments – support and work across departments.
2. Community – making a difference in the community or performance of an outstanding service or act.
3. Outstanding Results – accomplishing a significant outcome above and beyond standard work duties.
4. Safety – making a significant difference in workplace safety.

“Home Christmas decorations can bring the holiday season to life, says Reno Fire Marshal Joan Presley, “but they can also increase the chance of a fire occurring and spreading rapidly which makes taking simple precautions a holiday necessity.”

During the 2002-2005 period, Christmas trees alone accounted for 210 fires per year resulting in an average of 24 civilian deaths and 27 civilian injuries, and an estimated $13.3 million in property damage annually across the nation, according to the National Fire Protection Association.  Statistics from the U.S. Fire Administration point out that fires occurring during December in 2002-2004 alone resulted in an average of 415 fatalities, 1,650 injuries and caused more than $990 million in damage across the nation.

The Reno Fire Department has a number of simple recautions you can take to help prevent a holiday season fire related tragedy.

It really doesn’t matter whether you live in Reno or another community, holiday shoppers need to keep red painted fire lanes clear to allow fire engines, rescue units and other emergency responders areas in which to operate in the event of an emergency

Holiday shopping crowds increase the number of vehicles parked near stores and in shopping center and mall parking lots, which may tempt some shoppers to park in fire lanes or in front of fire hydrants.  But, when someone leaves their vehicle in a fire lane, even for a few minutes, it can hamper firefighting operations or mean a delay in medical treatment for someone having a heart attack or stroke. Read the rest of this entry »