Nye County volunteers say uniform and vehicle changes prompted resignations, raise safety concerns

Pat Minshall, a member of the Nye County Sheriff's Auxiliary Unit, told commissioners at the May 7 meeting that recent changes to volunteer badges and vehicle markings have driven "over one third of our volunteers" to resign and left those who remain feeling less safe. "I think taking away our badges was a slap in the face," she said, criticizing plans for vehicles to display large "Volunteer" lettering and yellow blinking lights that she said drivers routinely ignore.

Minshall said she will not respond to an accident callout if the unit uses yellow blinking lights, calling the configuration "not safe." She also praised a new emergency vehicle for the Amargosa Fire Department and asked that her comments be entered in the meeting minutes.

Commissioners acknowledged the comments during manager/commissioner remarks and signaled staff would follow up. One commissioner asked staff to work with town officials to review field allocations raised earlier in public comment; another thanked Minshall and other auxiliary volunteers for their service. Several public commenters who later spoke during general comment reiterated concerns that policy or equipment changes were prompting resignations among long‑time volunteers.

The board did not take formal action on auxiliary policies during the meeting. Commissioners said they would gather more information from sheriff's office leadership and staff about the proposed changes and insurance or liability implications before any policy change was finalized.