SAFER Grant Funds New Firefighters in 2025

(September 24, 2024)

The City of Omaha has been awarded a SAFER grant to hire additional firefighters in 2025.

The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant (SAFER) will provide $6.8 million to pay salaries and benefits for 18 additional firefighters for three years. Funds from the SAFER grant can be spent beginning March 22, 2025 through March 21, 2028. After three years, the city will incorporate the salaries and benefits into the annual General Fund budget.

SAFER grants are awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) annually.

"We are grateful to FEMA for approving our grant application, which allows us to accelerate our plan to hire additional firefighters and add equipment to provide excellent emergency services," said Mayor Jean Stothert. "We must always provide the best fire and emergency medical response possible."

Engine 2 will return to service in 2025, located downtown at 15^th and Jackson. Engine 2 was removed from service in 2011 by the previous administration due to reallocation of staff. An additional medic unit will also be in service next year, at a station in the northeast corridor, to be determined. Both are on

OFD is budgeted for 687 sworn firefighters in 2025. Current staffing is 645.

In addition to the 2025 recruit class to be funded with the SAFER grant, the Omaha Fire Department will begin two recruit classes within the next 60 days, with a total of approximately 44 new firefighters expected to graduate from the training academy in the first quarter of 2025. These classes are included in the 2024 budget.

"This funding will enable the Omaha Fire Department to uphold the highest standards of service to our community while directly supporting the well-being and effectiveness of our firefighters," said Omaha Fire Chief Kathy Bossman.

OFD received 849 applications during the recent recruiting campaign, 246 candidates completed the testing process and are eligible to be hired. The additional 18 firefighters funded with the SAFER grant will be selected from that list of candidates. The recruit class will be selected and begin training after the March 2025 date.

At that time, the Omaha Fire department will have 701 sworn firefighters, exceeding the 2025 budgeted number by 14. In June 2025, OFD expects 14 firefighters to retire.

Mayor Stothert's 2025 budget included the successful SAFER grant application.

The City Council passed the budget unanimously on September 10^th. The Council also passed a resolution to move $1.2 million from other departments or funding sources to the 2025 budget for the additional firefighters if the City did not receive the grant. Mayor Stothert vetoed the resolution, saying it could jeopardize the SAFER award.

Mayor Stothert has approved the purchase of land in northwest Omaha for a new fire station. A site has been identified and purchase negotiations are ongoing. Construction is on hold pending outcome of the 2025 legislative session and potential additional actions to limit city revenues and spending.

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