Interim Fire Chief David Cochran, a former attorney, officially got the job as fire chief today with a nod from the Reno City Council. Cochran has been with the fire department 18 years, becoming acting chief in May and interim chief since August.
He practiced law in California, then Nevada, for a total of nine years, focusing on real estate and business litigation. After moving to Genoa from the Golden State in 1993, he was a volunteer firefighter and then began firefighting full time in 1998.
It was his wife’s suggestion and she didn’t think he’d do it. But he hasn’t looked back.
“It’s an opportunity to get out and make a difference,” Cochran said. “Often you see people and it’s the worst day of their life and we get to come in and make it better.”
The city also announced today a new emergency medical services program that is designed to help save lives.
Cochran has implemented the program which is getting firefighters trained in advanced life support to provide paramedic service. Currently 27 firefighters are trained and an additional 22 of the 32 newest hires are also trained, he said.
Cochran said this will allow firefighters to provide the highest level of service in a quicker fashion to patients.
“There’s a lot of enthusiasm at the department because of that,” Cochran said. “We always aspire to be the best and take it to the next level.”
Advanced life support training is a 12-week-long academy at the Regional Public Safety Training Center. One course is occurring now though April 1 and another one is scheduled to follow.
The fire department has 213 funded positions, and Cochran said he hopes to get as many firefighters trained as possible.
