Fire Suppression

The primary mission of the Sparks Fire Department’s (SFD) suppression operations is to protect public and firefighter safety, minimize property loss, and rapidly extinguish fires. SFD’s daily staffed resources include five Type I engines, one quint with a 75-foot ladder, one ladder truck with a 100-foot platform, and a staffed incident command vehicle. In addition, SFD cross-staffs three Type III engines, two Type VI engines, and one water tender to support wildland fire operations.

Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT)

The Sparks Fire Department (SFD) is a part of the regional TRIAD Hazardous Materials Team, in partnership with the City of Reno and the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District. The TRIAD HazMat Team provides a coordinated response to hazardous materials leaks, spills, or other conditions that pose a threat to the public or the environment throughout Washoe County. Fire Station #3 serves as the designated HazMat station and houses a tractor-trailer equipped with specialized hazardous materials response equipment, allowing for an efficient and timely response to these incidents.

Technical Rescue

The Sparks Fire Department (SFD) maintains a specialized Technical Rescue Team trained to respond to a wide range of complex rescue situations. Team capabilities include high-angle and low-angle rope rescues, confined space rescues, trench collapse rescues, and structural collapse rescues. Fire Station #1 houses a heavy rescue vehicle and a rescue trailer equipped with the specialized tools and equipment necessary to safely and efficiently conduct these operations.

Water Entry

The Sparks Fire Department (SFD) maintains a specialized Water Entry Team (WET) trained in both swift-water and still-water rescue operations. This training includes rescues in the Truckee River, Sparks Marina, golf course ponds, and small lakes in Spanish Springs. WET members also assist with flooding incidents and water-related animal rescues. Fire Station #1 houses a light rescue vehicle and a boat trailer equipped with the specialized gear required to safely and effectively conduct water rescue operations.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

The Sparks Fire Department (SFD) responds to a wide range of emergencies, with the majority of calls involving emergency medical services (EMS). Each SFD fire station is staffed with Advanced Life Support (ALS) providers at the paramedic level, allowing the department to deliver a high standard of medical care to all patients within the City of Sparks. Fire Station #5 houses a Braun Northstar ambulance, which began providing patient transport services in July 2024.

Wildland

Sparks Fire Department (SFD) firefighters are trained in wildland firefighting and respond to incidents within the city, county, state, and throughout the West Coast. Large wildland fires require a coordinated, multi-agency response, as no single agency has the resources to manage these incidents alone. SFD works alongside regional, state, and federal partners through mutual aid agreements to combat wildland fires effectively. Several SFD stations house specialized wildland firefighting apparatus, including three Type III engines, one Type VI engine, and one water tender.

Training

The Sparks Fire Department (SFD) Training Division provides ongoing, high-quality training to ensure firefighters are prepared for the diverse challenges they face in the field. Training covers core and specialized disciplines, including fire suppression, emergency medical services (EMS), wildland firefighting, hazardous materials response, technical and confined space rescue, water entry rescue, heavy rescue, auto extrication, mass casualty incidents, coordinated active shooter response, ice rescue, railroad safety, and traffic incident management.

SFD maintains three specialized response teams—Hazardous Materials, Water Entry, and Technical Rescue. Personnel may test and train to become team members, requiring 80–160 hours of specialized training. Once assigned, team members complete a minimum of eight hours of team-specific training each month.

The Training Division also manages all federal, state, and local training requirements; maintains certifications; prepares operators for safe vehicle operations under emergency conditions; supports command-level proficiency; and ensures promotional candidates are ready for advancement. In addition, SFD encourages continued professional development through outside training opportunities, including community college courses, the National Fire Academy, and regional fire service programs.

Fleet/Logistics

The City of Sparks Garage/Service Center is responsible for major maintenance and repairs for all City vehicles, including the Sparks Fire Department’s (SFD) fleet. SFD’s fleet includes Type I, Type III, and Type VI engines; aerial apparatus and quints; command and rescue vehicles; a hazardous materials tractor-trailer; as well as numerous service and fire prevention vehicles. The Sparks Service Center provides preventive maintenance and timely repairs to ensure the department’s vehicles remain safe, reliable, and ready to protect the residents and visitors of Sparks.