Safety Regulations:

While it is true these safety regulations are not overseen by a Federal, State, or local agency, it would not be prudent or reasonable to disregard OSHA regulations, NFPA 1710, statistical data on fire deaths and property loss or how comparable cities to Omaha do staffing. 

The Firefighter Oath:

Omaha Firefighters have taken an oath to protect lives and property of the citizens they serve.  Whether there are 3 or 4 Firefighters per apparatus, or whether the 2 in / 2 out rule is or is not in place, Omaha Firefighters will perform the duties that need to be done on the fire ground.  Substandard staffing will delay the fire attack which will cost loss of life and property.  An effective fire attack or search and rescue of an interior structure  cannot be done with 1 Firefighter.  This is not safe for the Firefighter or the citizens that he/she is sworn to protect.

Staffing:

By staffing a minimum of 4 Firefighters per apparatus, the first arriving OFD engine company can immediately initiate a proper interior fire attack.

First arriving  Engine duties with 4 FF’s:

1  Firefighter (FF)  establishes a water supply from the hydrant.
1  FF (Fire Apparatus Engineer) drives the fire engine to the scene and operates the fire pump throughout the entire incident.
1  FF (Captain) leads initial fire attack / search and rescue team.
1  FF  Captains partner in fire attack / search and rescue team.
First arriving Engine duties with  3 FF’s:

1  FF  establishes a water supply.
1  FF (Fire Apparatus Engineer) drives the fire engine to the scene and operates the fire pump throughout the entire incident.
1  FF (Captain) leads initial  fire attack / search and rescue.  Attacks the fire alone with loss of valuable time and increased danger or waits for the second engine company to arrive for partner. 
NIOSH reports that the average statistical time for another company to arrive on scene is 150 seconds (2.5 minutes). That means with only 3 Firefighters on an Engine Company, there is a 2.5 minute delay on an effective fire attack or search and rescue.

NFPA 1710 A.5.2.2.2.1 states:  “An early, aggressive, and offensive primary attack on a working fire, where feasible, is usually the most effective strategy to reduce loss of lives and property damage."

"Consequently, given that the progression of a structure fire to the point of flashover (i.e., the very rapid spreading of the fire due to superheating of room contents and other combustibles) generally occurs in less than 10 minutes, two of the most important elements in limiting fire spread are the quick arrival of sufficient numbers of personnel and equipment to attack and extinguish the fire as close to the point of its origin as possible.”  

“The ability of adequate fire suppression forces to greatly influence the outcome of a structure fire is undeniable and predictable.  Data generated by NFPA and used by the committee in developing this standard provide empirical data that rapid and aggressive interior attack can substantially reduce the human and property losses associated with structure fires.”

As NFPA 1710 indicates, flashover in the room of origin occurs 10 minutes into the fire sequence and fire extension outside of this room begins to occur.  Let’s examine a scenario by applying NFPA 1710 standards for response times.

 If a fire is detected in the first minute (1) and 911 is called:

NFPA 1710 standards for Alarm Handling, received calls, transfer and processed:  160 seconds
NFPA 1710 Turnout Time (time interval that begins when the company is notified by dispatch and the apparatus begins to travel enroute to scene)  80 seconds
NFPA 1710 Travel Time (time interval from enroute to on location of the scene) 240 seconds 
 

The first arriving Engine Company will be on scene in approximately 8 minutes  or less from the time of the emergency call  and can begin taking life and property saving measures before flashover and fire extension begins. 

Startegic  Fire Station Locations:

The Omaha Fire Department consists of 24 Fire Stations with 15 Medic Units residing in 14 of the Stations (Central Fire Station has 2 Medic Units).  That means that it is very likely that a Fire Truck will arrive on an EMS call first.  This Fire Truck will have personnel with a minimum level of certification of EMT Basic and very probable that it will have an EMT Paramedic.  This means that life saving interventions can be performed in 5 minutes.  It takes 6 personnel to effectively treat and help transport a serious patient.

The Omaha Fire Department responds to nearly 40,000 fire and medical emergency calls a year. With 368 structure fires in 2008, the city will experience at least  one structure fire every day. The proper number of personnel is essential in delivering the utmost service on the variety of calls received. You never know what the next call will be.

CIR Ruling:

The Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations decision of Professional Firefighters Association of Omaha Local 385 v. City of Omaha in December 2008 ruled on Minimum Staffing for the Omaha Fire Department.  The Commission ruled that Omaha would be compared to the cities of Cincinnati, Des Moines, Lincoln, Madison, Milwaukee and St. Paul.  The Commission ruled that it is a prevalent practice among cities comparable to Omaha to have 4 Firefighters assigned to a Truck.  See Table 15 of the ruling titled “Unit Staffing Requirements-Minimum Staffing.”

Again, while it is true that safety regulations are not overseen by a Federal, State, or local agency, and the city may not be liable, it would not be prudent or reasonable to disregard OSHA regulations, NFPA 1710, statistical data on fire deaths and property loss or how comparable cities to Omaha do staffing.  By eliminating a fire fighter on a truck, a dangerous job is made much more dangerous.

The Fallen:

55 members of the Omaha Fire Department have made the ultimate sacrifice for the citizens of Omaha.  Since 1996, the Omaha Fire Department has not had a fire related Line of Duty Death. The Minimum Staffing Ordinance was created to ensure the safety of Omaha's citizens and Firefighters.