Michael F. McDonnell was appointed interim Fire Chief in December 2007. In April of 2008, he was promoted as the Omaha Fire Department's 30th Fire Chief.  At the age of 43, Chief McDonnell became the youngest Fire Chief in the Department’s 150 year history.

Chief McDonnell manages a $69 million budget, oversees 24 fire stations as well as the Fire Department’s Administration Headquarters and provides leadership to 657 firefighters.  Key initiatives include the   development and administration of the Fire Department’s “SAFE CITY USA” program which encompasses all of the department’s fire safety efforts through fire prevention, education, training and improved technology.

Chief McDonnell holds a Bachelor of Science Degree and an Associates of Fire Protection Technology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

He is married and has a 9 year old son.