Fire Chief's Final Flourish: Moore Exposes Schieve’s Regional Power Play

As Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District bids farewell to Chief Charles Moore, he's leaving with a characteristic bang rather than a whimper. Moore, known for his candid leadership, has lifted the curtain on what appears to be a carefully orchestrated fire regionalization initiative spearheaded by Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve and Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson.

Behind the scenes, State Senator Skip Daly and the mayors have reportedly been architecting a controversial regionalization plan, with Commissioner Alexis Hill eagerly vying for influence. We reached out to a number of people, and off the record, those conversations reveals a potentially troubling tax structure that could double-burden unincorporated Washoe County residents - a detail that sources say Hill dismissed with a revealing comment about Verdi residents' affluence so they won’t notice.

The power dynamics are clear: Schieve and Daly are steering this initiative, with Lawson's support appearing more political than passionate, given his complicated history with fire services. Meanwhile, Washoe County's enthusiasm seems lukewarm at best, except for Hill's eager advocacy, but she wants a seat at the big kids table.

Notably absent is any public transparency about these plans. While regionalization itself isn't the issue, we need it, the method matters. Instead of backroom dealings, why not present the proposal openly to residents, including the planned tax increases and Reno's Mayor Schieve’s apparent bid for control?

Residents should mark their calendars for February 6, 2025 - the first joint meeting between Sparks, Reno, and Washoe County in years. The last such collaboration produced the Nevada CARES Campus, whose financial oversight remains contentious with Washoe County resisting external audits. This new fire initiative deserves more sunlight than its predecessor.

Truckee Meadows Fire Protection Chief Charles Moore email to Washoe County Commissioners.