2018 Omaha Fire Department Annual Report

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Omaha Fire Department

OMAHA FIRE DEPARTMENT 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

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Omaha Fire Department

Table of Contents 4

Message from Chief Olsen

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Fire Administration

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Personnel Overview

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Service Area Overview

12

Statistics Overview

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Budget Overview

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Omaha Fire Stations

18

Emergency Medical Services

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Fire Investigation Unit

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Fire Prevention Division

24

Public Education Program

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Safety & Wellness Division

28

Information Services Division

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Technical Services Division

32

Training Division

34

Special Operations Program

38 Acknowledgments 39

Outlook & Community

Omaha Fire Department Mission Statement It is the mission of the Omaha Fire Department to protect lives, property, and the environment of our community through preparation, prevention, and protection in a competent and courteous manner.

Omaha Fire Department Core Values The members of our department hold themselves and each other to a high ethical standard, with integrity, professionalism, and compassion being at the core of every decision we make.

2018 Annual Report

2018 Omaha Fire Department Annual Report This report is the property of the Omaha Fire Department.

If you would like to use the report in its entirety or any of the content within it, please contact: Omaha Fire Department Headquarters 1516 Jackson Street, Omaha, NE 68102 402-444-5700 www.omaha-fire.org

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Omaha Fire Department

Daniel Olsen Fire Chief, City of Omaha

2018 Annual Report

Message from the Fire Chief It is my pleasure to prepare and present the Omaha Fire Department’s Annual Report to our City’s Honorable Mayor Jean Stothert, the respected members of our City Council, and to the citizens of Omaha. Serving as our community’s Fire Chief has afforded me the opportunity to lead a group of extremely dedicated professionals who strive to enhance public safety on a daily basis. I am honored to serve with the members of the Omaha Fire Department who have thrust our organization into the position of an industry leader and I am proud to serve with our community’s best interests at the forefront of every decision that I make.

As with previous years, 2018 brought with it a full agenda and I am pleased to report that your fire department worked diligently to meet the challenges of 2018 head-on. To highlight a few accomplishments in 2018, our department was able to continue infrastructure upgrades, expand community partnerships and recruitment efforts, while placing an even greater focus on firefighter wellness.

Infrastructure upgrades are always on our radar.

These crucial upgrades are necessary in our department’s quest to serve you at our highest potential while staying in line with industry standards and trends. With this explained, 2018 brought the completion our Fire Station Alerting System upgrade. Having received support from City and County government as well as voters, we were able to see this project through to fruition. I am happy to report that not only does the new system provide dividends to the tax payer, it is also equipped with features that provide anticipated wellness benefits to our firefighters. Heart-saver tones, automated dispatch voices and lighted countdown display boards all impact our firefighters in a positive way, while providing enhanced service delivery to the public.

Last year, I reported that enhanced focus had been placed on our department’s community engagement efforts. Placing these efforts as a top priority have allowed us to collaborate and build trust with multiple community groups throughout our service area, such as the Empowerment Network.

Our ultimate goal related to community relations is to reduce risk in our region through education By partnering with local community groups, we have enhanced our ability to connect with a larger and more diverse demographic thus allowing us to effectively broadcast our public education messages throughout our coverage area.

Firefighter health and wellness is a fundamental component of our department and something I am deeply passionate about, having spent the majority of my firefighting career working in the field. During my tenure as Fire Chief, many steps have been taken to offset the potential adverse effects that our members may face during their career span. In 2018, we continued to enhance our policy and protocol to provide direct health and wellness benefits to our firefighters. Multiple grant applications were also submitted with intentions of providing additional equipment to further support our safety and wellness program. In addition to this, General Fund dollars from the Omaha Fire Department budget were earmarked to purchase personal protective equipment to enhance each firefighter’s ability to protect themselves from the harmful products of combustion.

In summary, it will always be my focus as your Fire Chief to ensure that the needs of our department and our community are being met. This includes providing the best infrastructure possible for our department, taking a proactive approach to reducing community risk, cultivating strong relationships within our community, and at the same time, ensuring our firefighters are healthy and equipped to serve you at peak performance levels.

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Omaha Fire Department

Omaha Fire Department Management The Omaha Fire Department is comprised of individuals filling roles in suppression who actively provide fire and EMS response, as well as individuals working in an administrative capacity to oversee fire suppression activities.

Fire Management is currently comprised of a Fire Chief and four Assistant Fire Chiefs.

Three of the Assistant Fire Chiefs are assigned a suppression shift (A, B or C), and a single division to oversee. An administrative Assistant Chief oversees the remaining three divisions.

Assistant Chief John McCormick, FC2A & Fire Investigation Unit

Assistant Chief Joe Salcedo, FC2B & Training/Special Ops

Daniel Olsen, Fire Chief

Assistant Chief Kathy Bossman,

FC2C & Emergency Medical Services

Assistant Chief Tim McCaw,

FC3 & Fire Prevention, Safety, Technical Services

2018 Annual Report

Omaha Fire Department Divisions The administrative aspect is divided into six divisions. Each division is led by a Battalion Chief who reports to the members of Fire Management.

Emergency Medical Services Fire Investigation Unit Fire Prevention Division Public Education Program

Safety & Wellness Division Information Services Division Technical Services Division Training Division Special Operations Program

Battalion Chief William Bernard, Emergency Medical Services

Battalion Chief Doug Krysl, Fire Investigation Unit

Battalion Chief Scott Fitzpatrick, Fire Prevention/Public Education

Battalion Chief Coby Werner, Training/Special Operations

Safety & Wellness/Information Services

Battalion Chief Chris Langlois,

Battalion Chief John Stolinski, Technical Services

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Omaha Fire Department

Chain of Command & Personnel Overview

FIRE CHIEF Special Projects Coordinator

FIRE CAR 2 A ASSISTANT CHIEF

Professional Standards Unit

FIRE CAR 2 B ASSISTANT CHIEF

FIRE CAR 2 C ASSISTANT CHIEF

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A Shift Personnel

Fire Investigation Unit

B Shift Personnel

Training & Special Operations Division

C Shift Personnel

Emergency Medical Services Division

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FIU Battalion Chief

Training Battalion Chief

EMS Battalion Chief

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Fire Investigators

Training Specialists

EMS Shift Supervisors | QA Officer | EMS Supplies Manager | Medical Director

652

TOTAL PERSONNEL

645

SWORN PERSONNEL

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CIVILIAN PERSONNEL

2018 Annual Report

Sworn Personnel by the Numbers as of 12/31/18 1 Fire Chief | 4 Assistant Chiefs | 27 Battalion Chiefs | 1 Assistant Fire Marshal 3 Paramedic Shift Supervisors | 130 Fire Captains | 113 Fire Apparatus Engineers 366 Firefighters | 0 Probationary Firefighters Civilian Personnel by the Numbers as of 12/31/18 1 Secretary I | 1 Secretary II | 1 Account Clerk 1 Senior Clerk | 1 Special Projects Coordinator 2 Public Education Specialists

FIRE CAR 3 - ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT CHIEF |

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Fire Prevention & Education Division

Technical Services Division

Safety & Wellness Division

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FPE Battalion Chief

TSD Battalion Chief

SWD Battalion Chief

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Assistant Fire Marshal

Logistics Specialist

Personnel Manager

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Inspectors

Foam/Water Specialist

Accountability Specialist

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Public Education Specialist

Facilities/PPE Specialist

Information Systems Specialists

24

FIRE STATIONS

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BATTALIONS

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DIVISIONS

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Omaha Fire Department

Service Area Overview The State of Nebraska has a population of 1,826,341 with 517,110 people residing in Douglas County. Douglas County encompasses a territory of 339.6 square miles and is comprised of six cities with a total population of 517,110. The largest city in Douglas County is the City of Omaha with a total population of 408,958 people.

STATE OF NEBRASKA

DOUGLAS COUNTY

CITY OF OMAHA

1,826,341

517,110

408,958

total population

total population

total population

Reference: 2010 Census Information - http://censusviewer.com/state/NE

Omaha Fire Department Service Area The Omaha Fire Department covers a service area of 192 square miles, serving a population of 506,022 and a diverse response territory that includes urban, suburban and rural areas of Omaha, Sarpy County and Douglas County. The service area is broken down into seven battalions, with a total of 24 fire stations spread throughout the service area.

Battalion

Stations

Service Area

Battalion 1

Central, 3, 5

Southeast

Battalion 2

21, 22, 23, 24 Northeast

Battalion 3

30, 31, 33, 34 South Central

Battalion 4

41, 42, 43

North Central

Battalion 5

52, 53, 56

West Central

Battalion 6

60, 61, 63, 65 Southwest

Battalion 7

71, 77, 78

Northwest

#2

#4

#7 #5 #6

#1 #3

2018 Annual Report

Omaha Fire Department Coverage Map

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Omaha Fire Department

2018 STATISTICS: AT A GLANCE The Omaha Fire Department collects and reports data to the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). NFIRS collects data based on the following nine categories: Fire, Overpressure Rupture/Ex;osion/Overheat (No Fire), Rescue and Emergency Medical Service Incidents, Hazardous Condition (No Fire), Service Call, Good Intent Call, False Alarm and Flase Call, Severe Weather and Natural Disaster, and Special Incident Type.

58,469

2018 TOTAL INCIDENTS

1,631

49,695 Medical

913

Hazardous

1,467

19

315

Fire

Good Intent

Explosion/Pressure

Service Call

3

25

4,401

Weather/Disaster

Special Incident

False Alarm

2018 Annual Report

Total Fire Calls

Total Medical Calls

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

50k 40k 30k

40k

50k 60k

1000 1500 2000

Total Incidents

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

54,785 Total Incidents Fire - 1,724 Medical - 46,417 Hazardous - 788

Good Intent - 1,471 Explosion/Press. - 12 Service Call - 378

Weather - 12 Special Incident - 7 False Alarm - 3,976

50,996 Total Incidents Fire - 1,721 Medical - 42,416 Hazardous - 912

Good Intent - 1,379 Explosion/Press. - 17 Service Call - 373

Weather - 8 Special Incident - 18 False Alarm - 4,152

48,713 Total Incidents Fire - 1,751 Medical - 40,250 Hazardous - 794

Good Intent - 1,453 Explosion/Press. - 12 Service Call - 615

Weather - 7 Special Incident - 25 False Alarm - 3,806

47,987 Total Incidents Fire - 1,747 Medical - 34,348 Hazardous - 785

Good Intent - 3,597 Explosion/Press. - 21 Service Call - 3,335

Weather - 11 Special Incident - 10 False Alarm - 4,133

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

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Omaha Fire Department

Omaha Fire Department Budget

2018 Appropriated Budget -

By Department

$9,281,513

Fire Administration

$1,276,652

Fire Investigation Unit

$1,165,606

Firefighter Safety, Health, & Wellness

$2,486,698 $776,800 $2,380,110 $88,081,486 $105,448,865 $98,054,337

Fire & Life Safety Education & Prevention Technical Services Fire Emergency Response Training Fire Emergency Response Operations Total

By Expenditures Category Employee Compensation

$5,687,528

Non-Personnel

$1,707,000

Capital

$105,448,865

$1,707,000 $103,741,865 $105,448,865

Total

By Source of Funds 2014 Public Safety General Total

2018 Annual Report

Explanatory Comments The Fire Department manages a grant estimated at $411,970 in the 2018 budget that is in addition to the total appropriations shown. Staff expenses and the grant reimbursement are also displayed within the budget.

Personnel | 92.99% $98,054,337

Services, Equipment, & Capital | 7.01% $7,394,528

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Omaha Fire Department

Omaha Fire Stations

Station 1 | 1516 Jackson Street

Station 3 | 3126 S. 16th Street

Station 5 | 2209 Florence Blvd

Station 24 | 2304 Fontenelle Blvd

Station 30 | 6936 F Street

Station 31 | 4702 S. 25th Street

Station 42 | 3120 N.102nd Street

Station 43 | 5505 N. 103rd Street

Station 52 | 10727 Pacific Street

Station 61 | 11111 I Street

Station 63 | 16736 S. Street

Station 65 | 7010 S. 142nd Street

2018 Annual Report

Training | 11616 Rainwood Road

Pub Ed Office | 1608 S. 50th St

Headquarters | 1516 Jackson St

Station 21 | 3454 Ames Avenue

Station 22 | 6310 Lindbergh Plz

Station 23 | 9090 N. 30th Street

Station 33 | 3232 S. 42nd Street

Station 34 | 956 S. 42nd Street

Station 41 | 4515 N. 61st Street

Station 53 | 18001 Dodge Street

Station 56 | 16410 Pacific Street

Station 60 | 2929 S. 129th Ave

Station 71 | 20474 Laramie Road

Station 77 | 20220 Atlas Street

Station 78 | 2909 N. 144th Street

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Omaha Fire Department

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES Photo Credit: Mike Connor

EMS PERSONNEL William Bernard, EMS Battalion Chief Captain Lynda Bartsch, Supply Officer Captain Tom Mancuso, EMS Training Officer FAE Ben Tysor, QA Officer

49,693

Medic Unit Dispatches in 2018 6% increase over 2017

Paramedic Shift Supervisors: PSS - A Shift, Tim Klein PSS - B Shift, King Hawes PSS - C Shift, Wendy Brown Robert Chaplin, M.D. Medical Director Eric Ernest, M.D. Assistant Medical Director

296

Trained Paramedics on the Omaha Fire Department

16

Advanced Life Support Omaha Fire Medic Units plus 5 reserve medic units & 1 special event medic unit

2018 Annual Report

Emergency Medical Services Division Overview The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division is responsible for ensuring that all OFD paramedics and EMT’s are properly equipped and trained to provide high quality emergency medical services to the community.

The EMS Division is overseen by a Battalion Chief and staffed with three Paramedic Shift Supervisors, an EMS Supplies Manager, a QA Officer, a Training Officer, and one civilian secretary. In addition, the EMS Division receives oversight from a civilian Medical Director who is assisted by three physicians, one for each shift.

Every sworn OFD employee is either a licensed paramedic or EMT (Emergency Medical Technician), trained to provide either Basic (BLS) or Advanced (ALS) Lifesaving Techniques prior to hospital transport. This means that each OFD apparatus, including all fire trucks and engines, is staffed with personnel who can provide medical support, resulting in a higher level of protection for all citizens of Omaha. If a fire truck or engine can respond more quickly to a medical call than a medic unit, the citizen will still receive medical treatment from that responding company until the nearest medic unit can arrive for hospital transport, if that service is necessary.

Emergency Medical Services Training

Mission Lifeline Recognition Award

One EMS Division staff member utilized approximately 240 hours to research, update, write and/or rewrite EMS-related monthly training assignments for all OFD personnel in 2018. House Captains and Lead Medics assigned to each station were advised to teach the following topics on a monthly basis:

Mission Lifeline seeks to acknowledge the work, training, and commitment by EMS agencies to improve overall quality of care for the STEMI (Heart Attack) patient, by directly influencing the STEMI System of Care. OFD currently has the LifeLine Gold recognition award and is only 1 of 3 in the State of Nebraska that are at the gold level.

January - June Training Topics

LUCAS 2 Chest Compression Devices

Environmental Emergencies, EMS BP, Human Body, Ambulance OPS, Diabetic Patient, History Taking, EMS Comms, RACE Stroke Tool, Medicine Administration, Respiratory Emergencies, Trauma Assessment, Triage & MCI, Crime Scene Aware, Concealed Handgun, Documentation, Drowning, Infectious Disease, Soft Tissue Injuries

In 2018, OFD completed outfitting all 16 medic units with LUCAS devices. The LUCAS 3 Chest Compression System is designed to help improve outcomes of cardiac arrest victims and improve operations for medical responders.

July - December Training Topics Heat Emergencies, Medical Assessment, Vital Signs, Behavioral Emergencies, FIDO Bag (NEW), HELO OPS, Allergic Reaction, Nebulized Albuterol, Trauma Emergencies, Allergic Reaction, Nebulized Albuterol, Trauma Emergencies, 2018 FLU (NEW), NETO (NEW), Poison/ OD, Bleeding & Shock, Pediatric Respiratory, Refusal of Care, Burn Care, Child Abuse & Neglect, Geriatric Assessment

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Omaha Fire Department

FIRE INVESTIGATION UNIT

FIU PERSONNEL Doug Krysl, FIU Battalion Chief Fire Investigators: Captain Ron Brickell FAE Wyvie Jones Captain Joseph Caniglia FAE Tamara Flora Captain Kurt Theiler FF Scott Fox FAE Dave Sobotka Accelerant Detection Canine Team: Investigator Dave Sobotka & K9 Alley

* The FIU has 15 additional active duty personnel in reserve investigator status. * All 23 Fire Investigators are Certified Law Enforcement Officers.

349

Investigations were conducted in 2018 with 36 arrests for Arson which equates to a 41% Arson Clearance Rate

2018 Annual Report

Fire Investigation Unit Overview The Fire Investigation Unit (FIU) is an integral part of the Omaha Fire Department. It is the responsibility of the FIU to investigate all structure, vehicle, and other types of fires and explosions to determine their origin and cause. The need for a complete and thorough investigation is vital regardless of what is lost due to the fire or explosion event. The investigators are responsible for scene documentation, evidence collection, witness and suspect interviews, and court room testimony, if needed. If the fire or explosion event is determined to be incendiary in nature, a criminal investigation is conducted and may end in the arrest of a suspect. If the fire or explosion event is determined accidental, the investigation can aid in the establishment of fire codes, building codes and help with the recall of unsafe consumer products through the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Fire Investigation Unit Personnel & Training The field of expertise in Fire Investigation is ever-changing. A fire investigator must know and understand fire science, evidence collection and handling, scene documentation, fire cause determination, witness interviewing, police tactics, criminal law, and be able to prepare for and give courtroom testimony as an expert witness.

The FIU provides its citizens with a highly trained and dedicated team, consisting of 1 Battalion Chief, 7 Investigators, and 1 Accelerant Detection Canine.

The OFD has 15 additional active duty personnel in reserve investigator status. All 23 are Certified Law Enforcement Officers who obtained their certification after attending 24 weeks of recruit training through the Omaha Police Department Training Academy and completed a 5 week Field Training and Evaluation Program with the Omaha Police Department - Uniform Patrol Bureau.

1,165

Training Hours completed in 2018

All Fire Investigators receive further training, certification, and continuing education (CE) in the field of Law Enforcement from the Omaha 36 Police Training Academy staff, and in the field of Fire Investigation from Arson arrests made the National Fire Academy, International Association of Arson Investiga- which equates to a 41% tors publications, National Association of Fire Investigator publications, Arson Clearance Rate. and by completing monthly Company Schools that apply. Each employee This is over double the is required by the State of Nebraska to receive 20 CE hours annually. national average for comparable cities.

The 23 certified law enforcement employees completed a combined total of 1,165 CE hours in the field of law enforcement, incident command, emergency medical, emergency vehicle operation and fire investigation related training.

Fire Investigation Unit Improvements In 2018 all personnel assigned to the FIU improved their level of certification in fire investigation. In addition to the required training courses from the National Fire Academy in Fire/Arson Essentials and Interview, Interrogation, and Courtroom Testimony, all FIU investigators are now certified Fire Investigation Technician (IAAI-FIT), recognized by the International Association Arson Investigators which is a professional group of fire investigators.

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Omaha Fire Department

FIRE PREVENTION DIVISION

FPD PERSONNEL Scott Fitzpatrick, FPD / Pub Ed Battalion Chief Daryl Giles, Assistant Fire Marshal FPD Inspectors: Captain Duane Eivins Captain Dave Mausbach

2,414

Inspections were conducted in 2018

Captain John Olson Captain Steve Thornburg Captain Jeff Jamison Captain Kevin Mandina FF John Gaughan FAE Kurt Urkoski

566

Occupancy Fire Pre-Plans were created in 2018

Captain Chip Schneider Captain Chris Hopkins Jessie Bass, FPD Secretary

10

Sworn Fire Inspectors are assigned to FPD

2018 Annual Report

Fire Prevention Division Overview The Omaha Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Division (FPD) is responsible for conducting certified inspections while enforcing the applicable life safety codes and fire protection standards within the 192 square miles of territory in the Omaha area. In addition, the FPD oversees the Risk Reduction Zone Program, in which suppression companies inspect and familiarize themselves with occupancies within their particular response territory. The goal of the OFD Certified Fire Inspectors is to minimize the risk of life and property loss from fire by observing, enforcing, and eliminating hazardous conditions.

The Fire Prevention Division has ten sworn fire inspectors, all of whom report to an Assistant Fire Marshall who helps coordinate and evaluate their activities. These inspectors were successful in inspecting areas within the city of Omaha in all different specialties. These specialties are plan reviews, schools, day cares, tanks, residential, territory inspections and State re-inspections. We welcomed three new inspectors to our division in 2018 to keep with our compliment of ten certified inspectors, including Captain Chip Schneider to tanks, Captain Duane Eivins to Southeast territory, and Captain Kevin Mandina to the Northeast territory.

Yale Park Apartments

Risk Reduction Zone Program

One of the most prolific inspections that we performed in 2018 was at the Yale Park apartment complex. The Omaha Fire Department Fire Inspectors worked with city planning and private agencies while investigating close to 3,000 code violations at this complex. This inspection of the apartment complex of over 50 individual units resulted in the evacuation of the tenants from the complex. Most of the tenants were refugees. All of the tenants were relocated to safer places within the City of Omaha to live. We are thankful to all the agencies that worked on this endeavor to make sure that a potential tragedy was avoided.

The Risk Reduction Zone Program is a proactive community-oriented approach to fire safety in a geographically defined Risk Reduction Zone (RRZ). These services are provided by a designated Omaha Fire Department company of firefighters who are stationed within each defined emergency response area. These inspection assignments include Assembly Occupancy inspections, public education events, and smoke detector installs. In 2018, the inspection suppression companies conducted 2,414 inspections within their response territories.

Pre-Plan Program

Yale Park Incident

In 2018, suppression companies conducted over 566 detailed occupancy fire pre-plans.

When conducting familiarizations, companies observe and note specific information about the building and familiarize themselves with the building’s fire protection equipment including fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems, and kitchen hood systems. Suppression companies also conduct assembly inspections throughout the year to check the maximum occupancy load for a structure as well as perform holiday inspections of retail occupancies.

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Omaha Fire Department

PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAM

PUB ED PERSONNEL Scott Fitzpatrick, FPD / Pub Ed Battalion Chief Captain Tony Lara, Public Education Captain FF Verrelle Gordon, Public Education Manager

788

Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detectors Installed in 2018

Sergio Robles, Public Education Specialist South Omaha Rachelle Miller, Public Education Specialist North Omaha

86

Youth Fire Setter Program activities conducted in 2018

734

Fire Safety Presentations were given in 2018

2018 Annual Report

Public Education Overview The Omaha Fire Department’s Public Education (Pub Ed) Program is responsible for promoting the message of fire safety to everyone in our community. All of our suppression companies and the Pub Ed staff take a proactive approach to raise awareness and educate the public on fire safety. We show the public how to protect their home, business, and family in the event of a fire or catastrophe. Pub Ed takes a community-prevention approach, enlisting the help of volunteer and community organizations to promote this message.

Free Smoke Detector Program

Youth Fire Setter Program

An integral part of the Pub Ed program is the smoke and carbon monoxide detector outreach component. The OFD is committed to keeping our citizens safe. OFD personnel are able to install smoke/CO detectors in homes throughout Omaha free of charge. In the event that the home already has a working smoke detector, personnel will replace the battery for free instead. In 2018, the OFD was able to install 788 smoke/CO detectors for the citizens of Omaha.

The Youth Fire Setter Program (YFS) is a program to educate youth who have played with or shown interest in lighters, matches, or who have been caught or arrested for starting fires.

We partner with Project Harmony, Omaha Police Department, Nebraska Medicine Burn Unit, and the Juvenile Assessment Center. We provide fire education and, if the youth still needs further help/guidance, we reach out to one of our partners who can better assist them.

North Omaha/Refugee Pub Ed Specialist Through a grant, the Omaha Fire Department was able to hire Rachelle Miller to fulfill the North Omaha/Refugee Specialist position. Rachelle has a background in teaching diverse populations, international teaching, and curriculum planning, which she uses to advance OFD’s educational programming. She has also applied her knowledge in working with different countries and cultures around the world when working to educate the refugee populations in Omaha.

We are grateful to have Rachelle working in North Omaha and with our Refugee population.

Tri County Fire Corps Exploring Program The Tri County Fire Corps Exploring program is for 16-19 year olds, to visit metro area fire departments (both paid and volunteer departments) to learn about firefighting. The students learn the skills necessary for a career in firefighting through classroom instruction and hands on experiences. The program received the Citizen Program of the Year award in September of 2018 at the Lt. Governors “Be Prepared” Award reception.

We had sonnel Setter had 86

three new Public Education become certified Youth Intervention Specialists YFS cases to attend to in

perF ire and 2018.

Thank you to Project Harmony and the Omaha Police Department Child Victims Squad for their partnership and efforts to enhance our department’s training curriculum in regard to youth fire setters who may be victims of child abuse or neglect. To learn more about Project Harmony and the Child Victims Squad, please visit Project Harmony’s Website.

The Hartford Visit The Hartford Program is in its 70th year of helping educate children ages 6-9 on fire safety and prevention. Hartford visited Lathrop Elementary in May of 2018 to help OFD teach kids about fire safety. Hartford generously donated $10,000 to the First Responders Foundation, in OFD’s name, to help with fire safety in Omaha. The Hartford also donated 10,000 to OPS. This money will be spent in 2019 to assist in fire safety education in Omaha.

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Omaha Fire Department

SAFETY & WELLNESS DIVISION

SWD PERSONNEL Chris Langlois, SWD / ISD Battalion Chief Captain Chris Fisher, Fire Services Personnel Manager &Infectious Disease Control Officer FF Carla Miranda, Administrative Bobbie Tolbert, SWD Secretary

New Fitness Equipment

Through a grant, SWD acquired and distributed new (low or no impact) fitness equipment (Cybex Arc Trainer and Bravo Functional Trainer) for all 24 fire stations.

Occupational Health SWD managed the occupational health needs of over 646 firefighters for TB, N95 fit testing, SCBA face piece fit testing, managing immunizations records, hazardous materials team physicals and infectious disease exposures.

2018 Annual Report

Safety & Wellness Division Overview The OFD recognizes that providing fire, medical, and emergency response services comes with inherent risks and that it is vitally important to continuously evaluate, manage, and reduce those risks to prevent injuries or more serious consequences. The Safety and Wellness Division (SWD) works to ensure that each OFD employee has the best chance possible to go home safe and healthy at the end of each day. This division is comprised of one Battalion Chief and two sworn fire personnel: a Fire Services Personnel Manager and an Accountability Specialist, and one civilian secretary.

Major responsibilities of the SWD are to ensure that safety procedures are being followed in all aspects of the job, to coordinate these safety efforts, to perform follow-up action on safety concerns, to ensure that State and Federal regulations are being met, and to implement policies that adhere to fire department standards, guides, codes, and regulations. SWD also coordinates the establishment and annual review of all OFD Standard Operating Procedures.

The SWD also monitors documentation and response data, responds to emergency incidents, and conducts post incident analysis (PIA) of significant incidents where there was an injury, close call or other significant factor, in order to identify strengths and weaknesses in policies, procedures, training and operations.

Safety & Wellness Database

Incident Safety Officer Certification Course

In 2018, SWD, in cooperation with the UNO MIS Graduate Program, completed part two of a Safety Wellness database. This database tracks personnel events: Injured on Duty (IOD) reports, Vehicle Accidents, Hazardous Material Exposure and Biological exposures. It also tracks tests such as hearing, TB testing, Fit Testing, and immunizations. The database allows OFD to effectively track personnel health events as well as allow personnel access to their records. It is HIPAA compliant from entry to storage on the internet while allowing for accurate tracking by both SWD and personnel.

At all working fire and special operations incidents, a fire officer is assigned to be the Incident Safety Officer (ISO). A 3-day Incident Safety Officer course was designed and taught

by SWD and Training Division personnel. Twenty-one OFD Battalion Chief’s, Captains who act as Battalion Chiefs, and Paramedic Shift Supervisors completed the course and successfully passed a national ISO certification exam.

Firefighter Cancer Exposure Prevention Firefighters have a 9% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and, if diagnosed, they have a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer as compared to the general public. They also face up to a 100% greater risk of getting some specific types of cancers. In order to better manage the risks of exposure to carcinogens during firefighting, the SWD initiated Phase 1 of the Cancer Exposure Awareness and Prevention Program. This first phase consisted of evaluating and updating current policies, procedures and practices in the field to lower firefighter’s exposure to carcinogens.

Natural Gas Response Procedures SWD researched, developed, and published a Response to Natural Gas Emergencies Standard Operating Procedure, which included a communications plan for OFD personnel to communicate and coordinate with Metropolitan Utilities District (MUD) personnel while en route to operating at natural gas emergencies.

Unified Command Training with Police SWD developed and presented an Incident Command/Unified Command class to the Omaha Police’s Management School for new Sergeants and Lieutenants. This lead to further discussion and is developing into more training and coordination between OPD and OFD for incident and unified command training going into 2019.

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Omaha Fire Department

INFORMATION SERVICES DIVISION

ISD PERSONNEL Chris Langlois, ISD / SWD Battalion Chief FAE Brent Van Scoy, Data Analyst FF Stan Shearer, Mobile Network Engineer FF Jon Lee, ePCR/FireRMS Administrator

Data Analysis & Reporting Gathering, analyzing and reporting data is vital to help OFD make efficient and effective decisions to manage all of the emergency response services throughout each year and to plan for the future. ISD continues to use the most current tools in data reporting. These tools enable the OFD to: • Submit NFIRS Reports for the NFPA • Make updates to the NFPA 1710 Data Model • Utilize Microsoft Power BI Data Models • Generate Crystal Reports with Real-Time Statistics • Utilize the Safety & Wellness Tracking Database

2018 Annual Report

Information Services Division Overview The Information Services Division (ISD) is responsible for providing technical support for the OFD’s many computer programs and hardware/software specific to the fire department. While the OFD receives computer and IT support from the Douglas Omaha Technology Commission (DOTComm), as do all city departments, there are programs maintained and overseen exclusively by the ISD. It is crucial that OFD data is properly maintained and tracked to remain compliant with fire service standards and State and National requirements.

The ISD is staffed with sworn personnel filling the following roles: one Fire/EMS Information Specialist and two Information Systems/Research Specialists. This division is overseen by the Safety and Wellness Division Battalion Chief. The ISD staff was successful in many areas throughout 2018, including upgrading department wide communications equipment and the fire station alerting system in all 24 stations.

Portable & Mobile Radios

Fire Station Alerting (FSA) System

New portable radios were purchased for all fire department personnel. Communications at emergency incidents is one of the top five causes of firefighter line of duty deaths and a major cause of problems and issues at fires nationwide. When working at emergency incidents, these radios help maintain communications from crews operating at the task and tactical levels to the incident commander. Every firefighter is assigned a portable radio when on duty, which allows everyone to share critical information as well as to call for help for themselves or another firefighter.

In 2018, a new Fire Station Alerting system was installed at all 24 fire stations. The FSA system is a comprehensive system that alerts the stations over both Ethernet (IP) connectivity and radio transmission. It provides for dispatch operator announcements over the main fire voice radio channel to alert firefighters of emergency calls. The new alerting and automation system provides a more suitable integration with existing Douglas County 911 dispatch and provides enhanced fire station functions, with the goal of reducing critical response times to emergencies and reduce firefighter stress.

Douglas County GIS The IS team continues to strengthen our working relationship with the Douglas County GIS Division.

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) implementation is improving OFD efficiency and services rendered to the citizens of Omaha using Maps and Business analytics. It contributes to better response times by evaluating how we respond to specific Fire Zones, Pre-Plan High Value Target Hazards, and to determine best placement of resources such as Engines and Medic Units, and determine best placement of new Fire Stations.

Electronic Patient Care Reporting Upgrade The OFD ISD spent 2018 preparing computers and software for an upgrade in the ePCR system to Version 6.4 which will allow the OFD to meet new patient care reporting requirements being implemented by the State of Nebraska in 2019.

REaCH Project As in the past, OFD ISD continues to partner with the academic community for the benefit of the members of the OFD and the citizens of Omaha. OFD IS is currently working with University of Nebraska at Lincoln Biological Systems Engineering Department and the College of Public Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center on behalf of the Real-Time Emergency Communication System for HazMat Incidents (REaCH) project, which is supported by USDOT UTC Grant. This project, the first of its kind, will help identify the feasibility of first responders using wearable technology for monitoring real-time biological and health diagnostics when responding to and operating in hazardous environments.

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TECHNICAL SERVICES DIVISION

TSD PERSONNEL John Stolinski, TSD Battalion Chief Captain Bob Sledge, Logistics Specialist FAE Greg Stofer, Fire Apparatus Coordinator Water Supply Specialist FF Chad Kinney, PPE Specialist FAE Jim Schurkamp, Equipment Specialist

In 2018, TSD Processed: 697

1,826

Supply Requests Repair Requests

258

PPE Requests

2018 Annual Report

Technical Services Division Overview The primary responsibility of the Technical Services Division (TSD) is to keep all vehicles, equipment, and buildings in working order by serving as the department liaison with Fleet Management, Facilities Management, and contracted vendors. TSD also works with Douglas County 911 communications and DOTComm regarding communications equipment and telephone services. As of December 31, 2018, TSD had a total complement of four sworn personnel: one Battalion Chief who oversees the division, one Logistics/Repair and Delivery Coordinator, one Fire Apparatus Coordinator Foam/Water Supply Specialist, and one Facilities and Turnout Gear Specialist.

Firefighting Equipment

ISO Rating Improvement

The Technical Services Division is tasked with repair and replacement of firefighting gear and equipment. This includes but is not limited to Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), Thermal Imaging Cameras (TIC’s), Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), saws, extrication equipment, forcible-entry tools, ropes, ladders, hand lights, nozzles, and hoses. When possible, equipment is fixed in-house by TSD staff. If unable to fix equipment in-house, TSD has access to vendors that handle such repairs.

In 2018, TSD reached numerous accomplishments including an ISO rating improvement.

TSD inspected and inventoried each OFD apparatus according to ISO inspection sheets.

In addition to this, TSD collected, marked and moved equipment in order to achieve the highest possible Class 1 ISO rating.

Radios & Communications TSD assisted with maintaining, tracking, and repairs of 275 portable radios and close to 100 fire apparatus, inspector, investigator, and other division vehicle mobile radios.

Fire at Station 43 On July 29, 2018, OFD had a significant fire at Fire Station 43. It was decided to add individual firefighter bedrooms to the remodel plans. Prairie Construction was awarded the remodel bid for $638,000.00. The station will be brought up to current building/fire codes with a completion date of March 1, 2019.

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Fire Management has worked to purchase a second set of PPE for each firefighter. The decision to move in this direction will have positive impacts on every member of OFD for years to come.

Particulate blocking hoods have been adopted as the standard hood as of the end of 2018.

This change provides greater protection to firefighters in terms of carcinogen exposure through absorption in the head/neck area.

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TRAINING DIVISION

TRAINING PERSONNEL Coby Werner, Training / Spec Ops Battalion Chief Captain Nick Gangwish Captain Scott Dull Captain Tom Oehler Captain Jase Blunt FAE Scott Alff FF Andy Brewer Anita Robarge, Training Secretary

Training Activities The Omaha Fire Department Training Division administers the following activities: Multi-Company School Education, Reality-Based Training Scenarios, Post Incident Analysis Investigation, Firefighting Innovation Research, Expansive Online Learning, and Training Course Development.

2018 Annual Report

Training Division Overview The Omaha Fire Department Training Division’s mission is to ensure that safe and effective emergency service professionals are trained to effectively serve the City of Omaha.

The Training Division accomplishes its mission by preparing probationary fire candidates for assignment to suppression forces and ensuring they will successfully complete the confirmation process; providing reality-based training opportunities to all OFD personnel; researching and acting as a proving ground for all proposed upgrades in firefighting technology and innovations in fire service strategy and tactics as reflected in the Standard Operating Procedures; and acting as the leader in providing professional growth and employee development opportunities to the members of the OFD. Training Events

Event Incident Planning

The Training Division disseminated through multi-company school education and reality-based training scenarios, numerous training techniques for the purpose of suppression personnel obtaining professional development and mastery of the latest innovations.

In 2018, the Training Division completed Incident Action Plans (IAP’s) for local events.

The IAP’s provided by the Training Division were completed for the purpose of improving the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of fire department emergency operations.

Each member of OFD received Fire and Special Operations continuing education and skill development training. The 2018 Continuous Professional Training (CPT) sessions included the following topics:

In 2018, Incident Action Plans were created for NCAA March Madness Basketball and the NCAA Men’s College World Series.

• Incident Command Simulations • C.A.N. Reports Conditions, Actions & Needs • NIOSH Case Studies • Fire Strategies & Tactics Training also conducted Battalion Wide Training for the implementation of the new Foam Trailer which was purchased using grant funds from the Department of Homeland Security.

Training Courses In 2018, the OFD Training Division participated in the following training courses: • Mastering Unified Command, Calming the Chaos by Firefighter Inspiration Readiness & Education • The Power of One: The 1st Arriving Engine at Externally Ignited Apartment Building Fires an FDIC course • SCOTT SCBA Technician Certification Course

New Recruits The OFD welcomed 22 recruits in January of 2018. Phase 1 of the training required the recruits to go through 14 weeks of didactic and practical skills training. The Training Division assigned the curriculum and job performance skills for each candidate to a Field Training Officer. The candidates continued with monthly evaluation and testing throughout the year.

• NE-TF1 Rope Rescue Training • Local Volunteer Fire Department Training • Incident Safety Officer certification course through the Fire Department Incident Safety Officer Association • Eppley’s Full Scale Exercise • Several National Fire Academy Courses

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SPECIAL OPERATIONS PROGRAM

SPEC OPS PERSONNEL Coby Werner, Spec Ops / Training Battalion Chief Captain Nick Gangwish, HazMat Coordinator FAE Scott Alff, Water Rescue Coordinator

Special Operations Capabilities The Special Operations Program continues to sustain its core capabilities by staying current with technology through regular ongoing training and maintenance of special operations equipment. The Spec Ops Program continued its partnership with multiple agency’s within Omaha and the surrounding areas.

2018 Annual Report

Special Operations Program Overview The Special Operations Program, a program within the OFD Training Division, provides OFD personnel with training for emergency situations that require specialized skills. The Special Operations Program is overseen by the Training Division with several personnel assigned specifically for this program.

The Special Operations Program continued to sustain its core capabilities by staying current with technology through regular ongoing training and maintenance of special operations equipment. The Special Operations Program continued its partnership with multiple agency’s within Omaha and the surrounding areas and continued to demonstrate its joint operational capabilities by conducting and participating in numerous joint training, exercise and events with a multitude of different agencies.

The Special Operations Program continuously schedules training that strengthens the operational and response capabilities of the OFD. The program continues to meet or exceed federal, state, and local standards with an emphasis placed on NFPA 1006, 1670 and 472, as well as meeting the needs of OFD Special Operations personnel. Continuing to meet and exceed these standards will allow the Special Operation members to maintain as well as increase the operational and response capability of the department, emphasizing the training required to maintain the specific disciplines to effectively respond not only within the city of Omaha but as part of the mutual aid system and regional response for the state of Nebraska.

Special Operations Events & Highlights In 2018, the Omaha Fire Department’s Special Operations Program moved forward with multiple training courses, environmental and security coverage of several high profile events, and grant funded training and equipment purchases.

2018 Special Operation highlights included attendance or participation in the following events: Joint Ice Rescue Hovercraft training with Council Bluffs

Joint Ammonia response training with Papillion Fire

NEMA State Homeland Security Grant Investment Justification Workshop

Trained new Fire Recruits on HazMat Operations Level 1

NEMA State Homeland Security Grant THIRA Workshop Joint Water Rescue Training with USAR NETF-1 Secured Grant Funding for Specialized Technical HazMat Identification equipment and Technical Rescue Training Conducted sonar training with Water Rescue 42 (WR43)

Public Safety Dive training conducted at local lakes and swimming pools

Joint training with 72nd CST on Hazardous Material Area-Rae Metering Swift Water Rescue Training with NETF-1 USAR Structural Collapse and Shoring Training

Joint Rescue Boat Sonar Training with Papio NRD, IA NRD, OFD & the DC Sheriff’s Office

NETF-1 members responded to North Carolina during the 2018 Hurricanes

Tier II Inspection report preparedness document for Rescue Crews and DCEMA & LEPC

Completion of the Traffic Incident Management System Interstate exchange signage project. Signs will be installed in the spring of 2019

Conducted water rescue training with E43/WR43 and E22/WR22

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2018 Annual Report

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Omaha Fire Department 1516 Jackson Street Omaha, NE 68102 402-444-5700 www.omaha-fire.org Thank you for viewing the Omaha Fire Department’s 2018 Annual Report. We hope this report provided a detailed overview of the services provided by the men and women of this department and highlighted notable achievements and activities performed in 2018. If you would like further information on our services, or to view a current phone list for each division, please visit our website at www.omaha-fire.org.

2018 Annual Report

2019 Omaha Fire Department Outlook Moving into 2019, the Omaha Fire Department will continue to focus on increasing community engagement efforts and recruiting practices. The OFD Community Engagement Committee consists of OFD personnel and City of Omaha Human Resources personnel, with a purpose and vision of building and strengthening relationships within Omaha.

The Community Engagement Committee will continue to reach out to community groups throughout Omaha to provide support and to increase awareness regarding the resources provided by the Omaha Fire Department. The committee will also be in attendance at multiple community meetings and events including the Empowerment Network’s weekly Omaha 360 meetings, the South Omaha Violence Intervention and Prevention (SOVIP) meetings, and other various community outreach events.

If you would like to request a member from the Omaha Fire Department to attend your organization’s event, please contact our Public Education Department at 402-444-3560.

First Responders Foundation

Charitable Contributions

The Omaha Fire Department is grateful for every contribution we receive, and we would like to extend a special thank you to the First Responders Foundation for their steadfast dedication in helping to maintain OFD programs that assist the citizens of this community. In particular, we would like to thank their hardworking Chairman of the Board, Mr. Jim Hansen, and their committed President/CEO, Mr. Al Batschelet. For further information on this organization, please visit www.firstrespondersomaha.com.

Each year, OFD partners with the Salvation Army’s Toys for Tots program to collect toys for needy children in the Omaha community. OFD fire stations act as official drop-off locations where citizens can drop off new, unwrapped toys.

OFD also partners with the Salvation Army Adopt-A-Family Program during the holiday season. OFD personnel collaboratively adopt multiple individuals and families via this program and the Early Nebraska Office on Aging. Gifts are purchased for each child and aged adult as well as grocery store gift cards for each family to help them enjoy a happy holiday season.

Operation N.E.T.S. OFD is proud to partner with the Operation N.E.T.S. Program! Operation N.E.T.S. is an initiative to increase police and youth engagement and help kids find a safe outlet for play. It’s a partnership between our department, the Omaha Fire Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (NE) and the La Vista Police Department.

Through this program, hundreds of sports balls and even a few basketball hoops have been placed in community neighborhoods.

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INTEGRITY. PROFESSIONALISM. COMPASSION