Omaha Firefighters perform many duties in addition to  answering nearly 40,000 emergency calls a year. Throughout the duty shift, Firefighters serve the citizens by inspecting buildings for fire hazards, teaching fire safety to children, residents and businesses, installing smoke/CO alarms, monitoring large events, attending numerous hours of continuous training, physical conditioning and maintaining of the fire stations, apparatus and equipment.

 

The Firefighter average day starts at 0700. The following is an example of a typical duty shift after reporting to the fire station:

• 0700 to 0830 - Roll Call and equipment check which includes inspecting, repairing, cleaning and logging in all equipment to ensure readiness for service.
• 0830 to 1000 - Cleaning and maintenance of fire stations including living quarters and apparatus areas.
• 1000 to 1200 - Fire inspections of local businesses in each fire companies Fire Management Zone. Each Company is responsible for a designated area of the city.
• 1200 to1300 - Break for lunch unless responding to emergency calls.
• 1300 to 1500 - 2 Hours minimum of  continuous company school fire / EMS training.
• 1500 to 1700 -  Installation of smoke /Co alarms in residential  occupancies.
• 1700 to 1800 - Physical Conditioning
• Scheduled -  Public Education Events and Medical Standbys of large events scheduled throughout the day and evening hours.

Statistics

 

Omaha Fire Department personnel including the Public Education Bureau have recorded over 16,000 hours  teaching fire safety, attending public education events and installing over 1588 smoke alarms and 569 batteries in 2008.

 

Omaha Fire Department personnel have logged 95215 hours of continuous training provided by the OFD Training Bureau.

 

Omaha Fire Department Personnel including the Fire Prevention Bureau inspect thousands of buildings a year including daycares, schools, hospitals. In addition,countless follow-up inspections to ensure the safety of the businesses that the citizens frequent daily.

 

Omaha Fire Department responded to 1101 fire incidents that needed a determination
of cause and origin in 2008. 395 of the 1101 incidents were investigated by the Fire Investigation Bureau. 96 of the 395 were determined to be arson. 26 cases were cleared by arrest which equates to a 27% clearance rate. This is 9% above the national average.