I am participating in the City of Reno Citizens Institute-

A great program & great way to learn about your government!

 

Reno, NV (KRNV & MyNews4.com) – Dozens of Reno residents visited a northwest Reno Fire Station during week three of Reno Citizen’s Institute.

“I didn’t realize how many types of calls a day they responded to whether it was a home fire, a medical emergency, it was just all kinds of incidences that I didn’t think they actually responded to,” says Clint Koble, a Reno Citizen’s Institute participant.

Reno Fire Chief Michael says Reno Firefighters responded to 33,500 service calls in 2014 with an average response time of seven minutes and thirty seconds.

“Probably the biggest misconception is most of our citizens’ think we sit around the station and wait for the bell to ring… but anytime there’s an opportunity for our crews to engage in our community, they take that opportunity,” explains Hernandez.

“It’s impressive how ready, willing and able these firefighters are to come on the scene of an emergency situation and help people in our community,” says Lisa Krasner, a Reno Citizen’s Institute participant.

“It’s really comforting as a citizen to know that there are passionate people out there taking care of me and you and everyone else in this community. My hats off to these ladies and gentlemen,” says Koble.

Koble says he knows these men and women are dedicated after what he learned from Chief Hernandez during the station visit. Chief Hernandez says no one within the Reno Fire Department has received a raise since 2009 and there have been no new firefighters hired since he became Chief five years ago.

Hernandez also says he is proud of the growing number of citizens who want to get involved in their community and what they learn along the way, “They came away with a better understanding of what our organization does. How we respond to certain fires and certain emergencies. Any why we do what we do.”