The Washoe County Sheriff's
Office is concerned with keeping the community informed about the
operation of the Sheriff's Office. One of the ways to accomplish
this is by regularly keeping the news media, and thereby the public,
informed of events involving the Sheriff's Office and its personnel.
The Public Information Officer (P.I.O.) coordinates this by acting
as a liaison between the Sheriff's Office and media representatives.
Duties include assisting reporters assigned to cover news stories
and providing them with general information at the scene of major
incidents. Our goal is to provide timely and factual information
to the community we serve.
The P.I.O.
is available 24 hours a day to respond to the scene of major incidents.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 27, 2010
Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Establishes the
Tahoe Regional Interoperability Partnership
CONTACT: Undersheriff Todd Vinger
911 Parr Blvd Reno, NV 89512
Office 328-3005
www.washoesheriff.com
Today, the Washoe County Commission granted the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office authority to proceed with plans to enter into an inter-local agreement to create a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) which will establish a bi-state region known as the Tahoe Regional Interoperability Partnership or “T.R.I.P.”. The partnership will create one of the Nation’s largest regional partnerships of this kind and perhaps the first region to address interoperable communication issues and challenges supporting first responders and mutual aide. The JPA will potentially affect a region that includes Western Nevada counties, California counties surrounding Lake Tahoe and most California Counties north of Interstate I-80.
According to Washoe County Sheriff Mike Haley, “Since the Angora fire, it became evident that first responders serving the sensitive and challenging environment of Lake Tahoe lacked the most fundamental of tools – the ability to communicate and organize their response efforts. The T.R.I.P. recognizes the challenge that communications present across this super region and the mutual commitment to protect, not just the citizens of the region but, its natural resources, its national and regional economic importance and the security of its nationally critical infrastructure corridors.”
The JPA will establish formal collaboration between counties in Nevada and California to create interoperable communication capabilities throughout this region. Developing the partnership and its mission has been underway for the past year. Counties throughout the region will participate with the JPA by adopting a Memorandum of Understanding.
“Through the JPA, first responders will be able to leverage and share federal resources and grants, technology, training and other assets to protect a critical region of the nation. It is important to recognize that Senate and House members serving the region are highly supportive of this project and its importance to the region and nation,” said Sheriff Mike Haley.
“In recent years we have focused a great deal of time, energy and resources on giving law enforcement agencies the tools they need to maintain effective communication during emergency situations,” Senator Harry Reid said. “Given the sensitive geographic and agricultural needs of the Tahoe Basin, this partnership is an excellent way to ensure the people and ecosystems of the basin are protected. I applaud the Washoe County Commission on their decision and look forward to working with them to ensure the success of this partnership.”
Public Information Officer: J. Armando Avina |