Ingram hired as county’s new emergency manager

A familiar face is back at work in Churchill County as Rich Ingram stepped into the role of Churchill County’s emergency manager in late December.

Ingram started his career with the Churchill County Sheriff’s Office in 1983 and retired as sheriff in 2011. Since then, he has worked as a supervisor for court security at the U.S. Marshal’s office in Reno providing security for tenants of the Thompson Federal Building in downtown Reno and another federal building near Reno High School.

Ingram attended Churchill County Schools but graduated from high school in Missouri due to family moves. After high school, he joined the Marine Corps where he served for three years.

A longtime Fallon resident, Ingram wanted to serve the community where he lives, which he found difficult to do working in Reno.

“Emergency Management was an area of interest for me as I participated in it during my time with the Sheriff’s Office,” he said.

Ingram noted that emergency management has become more formalized since he was last involved, so he is focusing on getting familiar with the processes he needs to know. One of his first visits will be to the Churchill County Comptroller’s Office to learn how the grant-heavy emergency management function operates.

“I want to gather up all the components of the job that others have ably held while this job was vacant and reconsolidate the functions back into this office,” Ingram said. “I have a lot to absorb in a short period of time.”

Following the position’s vacancy in spring of 2023, Ingram feels he is starting from scratch, but believes he is up to the challenge.

“I’m not re-inventing the wheel here but intend to use the tools and processes in place to continue the emergency management function with a new and different set of eyes,” he added.

The county’s Emergency Management Department is responsible for providing public support during emergency and disaster situations, providing logistic support for first responders during emergencies and coordinating shelter and evacuation for the public during disasters, whether natural or human caused.

Ingram can be reached at 775-423-4188. The emergency management office is located a 507 S. Maine St.

Anne McMillin is Churchill County’s public information officer.