David Cochran

Dave Cochran, was sworn in as Fire Chief of the City of Reno Fire Department in January of 2016. Chief Cochran leads one of the busiest fire departments per capita in the nation, commanding 306 personnel in a department that runs over 50,000 calls for service with a budget of just over $69 million. He is ultimately responsible for providing fire, emergency medical, special operations, and emergency management and fire prevention to over 270,000 citizens and more than three million visitors per year.

Chief Cochran started his tenure with the City of Reno Fire Department as a firefighter in April 1998. He was promoted to the rank of Fire Equipment Operator in 2006, Captain in 2007, Division Chief in 2012, and Fire Chief in 2016. Dave earned a Bachelor's in Business Administration from California Polytechnic State University in 1987, and continued his education earning a Juris Doctorate from the Hastings College of Law in 1990. Dave was a member of the Reno Fire Department Water Entry Team, Haz-Mat operations and response, Wildland Urban Interface Operations, and was certified as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician. Before becoming Fire Chief, Dave also held the positions of Fire Marshal and Training Chief.

Chief Cochran’s progressive leadership style and vision has resulted in many individual and department achievements. Since assuming the Chief role in 2016, Chief Cochran has increased the department staffing by over 20 percent, expanded an EMS Division to support regional demand, and reduced the department average front line apparatus age by over nine years. Chief Cochran has always been well respected by both firefighters and Officers of the department and is known for his balanced mediation of issues. Chief Cochran’s top priority has always been to work with the City Manager, City Mayor, City Council and the Firefighters’ IAFF Local 731 Union to do everything possible to make sure all of our personnel are provided for from their date of hire to retirement and beyond.