Manager's eUpdate for 07/26/07

I am pleased to provide you with highlights of some of our recent activities that reflect the County Commission's strategic priorities for our region. As always, I welcome your comments either by email (ksimon@washoecounty.us) or phone (775-328-2000). If you do not wish to receive this update by email, please let Community Relations Director Kathy Carter know at kcarter@washoecounty.us. Thank you.

Katy Simon
Washoe County Manager

Our thanks to the hundreds of firefighters and support personnel for their expert management of last week’s Hawken Fire, which was rated by the federal fire management system as the most dangerous fire in the U.S. About 23% of the burned area was in the County’s Sierra Fire Protection District, about 70% in the US Forest Service lands, and about 7% in the City of Reno. The fire was determined by investigators to be human-caused, and County officials are reviewing all options for pursuing cost recovery. Nevada continues to be the top fire concern in the nation, with 200,000 acres having burned in just two days last week. Fire safety continues to be a major concern.

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On Wednesday, July 17, Washoe County officials issued a request for cessation of all use of machinery or recreational activities that could cause a spark or fire in the Wildland Interface areas of the Sierra Front during Red Flag fire conditions, and requested and received a similar proclamation from Governor Gibbons. In addition, all County field vehicles are being equipped with shovels, water, and fire extinguishers, and field personnel such as Building Inspectors, Health Inspectors, Code Enforcement personnel, Sheriff’s Patrol deputies, and Road maintenance staff, among others, are receiving fire safety training. The County’s Regional Parks and Open Space Department has prohibited campfires at Davis Creek Park, and closed trailheads along the Sierra Front because of the high fire danger last week.

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The Washoe County Building and Safety Department now issues a fire safety message with every permit application, and requests fire safety plans of all permittees.

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Within two days of the start of the Hawken Fire, Washoe County’s Public Works and Water Resources Departments, in collaboration with the federal Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation team, TMWA, and others, developed an initial emergency watershed protection and restoration plan, and requested $4.2 million from Senator Reid to begin restoration of these valuable watershed areas.

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Registrar of Voters Dan Burk was notified last week that Washoe County’s Elections process was named one of the top two Best Practices in the U. S. by the national Elections Center.

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Three District Health Department health education programs have won Model Best Practice Awards from the National Association of County and City Health Officials. Only 29 programs were selected nationwide.

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IN THIS ISSUE:

Improve Public Safety, Security and Health

Improve Regional Collaboration

Provide Excellent Public Services