In a significant move to enhance emergency response capabilities, the East Fork Fire Protection District and Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District have entered into an innovative boundary drop agreement. This landmark collaboration will ensure that the closest available emergency resources respond to incidents, regardless of jurisdictional boundaries.

The agreement took effect on March 20, 2025, and covers the entire service areas of both fire districts, including the Carson Valley, Topaz Regions, and portions of the Tahoe Basin. This partnership builds upon the existing mutual aid agreements between the two districts and aims to significantly improve emergency response times and overall public safety.

Key benefits of the boundary drop agreement include:

  1. Reduced Response Times: By dispatching the nearest available unit, regardless of district boundaries, emergency personnel can reach incidents faster, potentially saving lives and minimizing property damage.
  2. Simplified Dispatching: Douglas Dispatch will benefit from streamlined protocols, reducing call processing time and improving overall efficiency.
  3. EnhancedResourceUtilization:Bothdistrictswilleffectivelysharetheirpersonnel and equipment, maximizing the use of available resources.
  4. Improved Community Safety: Residents and visitors in Douglas County will receive faster, more efficient emergency services, regardless of their location within the county.

Fire Chief Alan Ernst of EFFPD stated, “This boundary drop agreement represents a significant step forward in our commitment to public safety. By working together with our colleagues at TDFPD, we can provide faster, more effective emergency services to our communities.”

TDFPD Fire Chief Scott Lindgren added, “We are excited to implement this innovative approach to emergency response. This agreement will allow us to leverage our combined resources and expertise to better serve the residents of Douglas County.”

The boundary drop agreement is the result of months of careful planning and collaboration between the two fire districts. Both EFFPD and TDFPD will maintain their individual identities and administrative structures while working together to provide seamless emergency services across their combined service areas.