Distinguished Service Recipient 2004.
Bill Farr, a former Washoe County commissioner and state senator, went to work for the Sparks Fire Department in 1947 and served as chief from 1951 through 1976. He served as vice chair of the Governor’s Fire Marshal’s Advisory Board as a well as president of the Nevada Fire Chiefs Association, the Nevada State Firemen’s Association and the Western Fire Chiefs Association. During his term in the Nevada Legislature, 26 public safety bills were passed. Among the legislation sponsored by Farr were several that dealt with fire safety issues, and had beneficial impact on the Office of the State fire Marshal as well as the fire service in general. Farr served on the Governor’s Commission investigating fire codes and ordinances following the tragic fire at the MGM Hotel in Las Vegas that resulted in several Legislative actions upgrading Nevada fire laws and requiring fire safety retrofitting of various buildings throughout the state.