IAFF Local 385

Facts About Omaha Professional Fire Fighters

Omaha Professional Fire Fighters

Omaha Firefighters contribute 15.40% of their pay towards the pension system. The City of Omaha is currently repaying a court ordered payment due to their lack of payment in prior years. Firefighters do not receive social security benefits for their hours worked with the city.

Omaha Firefighters work 2912 hours per year. This is a 56 hour week with no overtime
Firefighting is the one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States. On average 100 firefighters will die each year.
Omaha Firefighters Responded to 40,000 incidents in 2008
55 Omaha Firefighters have died in the line of duty
Firefighters are constantly exposed to many infectious diseases, including HIV, Hepatitis, Tuberculosis, etc.
The life expectantcy of a firefighter is 10% below the national average!!
Ambulance and fire protection in Omaha costs $1.27/a week for a $100,000 home
Omaha Firefighters staff your fire stations 24/7, 365 days per year.
Omaha Firefighters are trained in firefighting, emergency medical care, high angle rescue, hazardous materials, confined space and trench rescue, SCUBA, and many other areas.

FAQ of the Omaha Professional Firefighters

Why does an engine or truck company with four people arrive for a medical call with the ambulance?

There are more engines and trucks strategically placed throughout the city. These units can sometimes arrive sooner than the ambulance and start treatment. This also provides for additional personnel to assist the two medics if the call becomes more urgent.

OFD Rigs out of service due to budget

"In an effort to manage an unrealistic budget the Omaha Fire Department has reduced the services to the citizens we serve today. Engine 2 and Medic Unit 2, from council District 3, and Medic Unit 44 from council District 7, have been taken out of service for the day.

In addition to the potential for delayed responses to the citizens we serve, this also places Omaha’s firefighters at greater risk for injury. At a time when services should remain consistent, your elected officials have chosen to reduce services.

Omaha’s Professional Firefighters also believe these actions violate the Commission of Industrial Relation’s status quo order and we have filed a contempt action against the city of Omaha, the Omaha City Council, the fire chief and the mayor.

We will continue to serve the citizens of Omaha to the best of our capabilities. The people of Omaha are paying more for reduced services at a time, as evidenced by two multiple alarm fires this past week, when services should at a minimum be maintained."

Thomas Miller Elected IAFF General Secretary-Treasurer

January 20, 2010 -- Following the retirement of IAFF General Secretary-Treasurer Vincent J Read More...

IAFF General Secretary-Treasurer Vincent J. Bollen's retirement letter
December 15, 2009

To My Brother and Sister Fire Fighters and IAFF Members:

In 1988, I retired from the love of my working life, the Fire Department of New York. For 32 years I gave my all - my guts, my heart and yes, my knees - and I gave it at 110 percent Read More...

Man Dies in Fire; City Budget Cuts Blamed
Baltimore's fire union has called on Mayor Sheila Dixon to restore $3.5 million to the City's budget for emergency services, following the death of a man in a recent early morning fire. Union leaders said deep budget cuts have put the lives of residents at risk. As a result of the budget cuts, the fire department has been rotating closures of fire stations since July Read More...

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