Omaha Fire Department Operations

OFD Engine 63

The Omaha Fire Department consists of 24 fire stations under 7 battalion chiefs. There are 24 engine companies, 9 truck companies, 15 ALS medic ambulances, 2 heavy rescues/ hazmat, 2 water tenders, and various support apparatus.

Support apparatus include an SCBA air bottle truck, brush trucks, jet skis, rescue boats, a mobile command post, a hazmat support truck, a mass casualty trailer, and utility support vehicles.

OFD Station Locations:

Click Here For Full List Of OFD Apparatus (Excel)

OFD Emergency Response Protocol:

The Omaha Fire Department uses the following protocol for response to emergencies:

• Medical Emergencies
  • 1 Engine or Truck, 1 Medic
  • “Alpha response” means it is a non-emergency, no lights/sirens.
  • Engine/Trucks are sent to medical emergencies because often that rig is the closest first responder to the location of an emergency. Also medical emergencies require additional manpower for patient treatment and transportation.
  • Stations with both an Engine and Truck alternate calls.
• “Person Down” Medical Calls
  • Nearest OFD apparatus; Engine, Truck, or Medic responds Code 3 (Lights and Sirens)
  • If additional resources are needed, such as a Medic if an Engine responds, they will respond to the call when asked.
• Personal Injury Vehicle Wreck
  • Standard Wreck: 1 Engine, 1 Medic
  • Pinned Or Entrapped Victims: 1 Engine, 1 Truck, 2 Medics, 1 Battalion Chief, 1 Rescue, and EMS Supervisor
  • Can add additional Medics as needed
• Automatic Fire Detection Signal
  • 1 Engine, 1 Truck, 1 Battalion Chief
  • These are common automatic fire alarms due to smoke detectors, food burning on the stove, activated pull-stations, sprinkler water flow alarms, or storms/power surges. Sometimes they are legitimate fires.
• Vehicle Fire
  • 1 Engine
• Garage Fire (Detached)
  • 1 Engine, 1 Truck, 1 Battalion Chief
• Garage Fire (Attached)
  • 3 Engines, 1 Truck, 1 Medic, 2 Battalion Chiefs, 1 Rescue Rig
• Fire One (Homes, Sheds, Etc.)
  • 3 Engines, 1 Truck, 1 Medic, 2 Battalion Chiefs, 1 Rescue Rig
• Fire Two (Industrial, Commercial, Apartments, Structural, Etc.)  
  • 3 Engines, 2 Trucks, 1 Medic, 2 Battalion Chiefs, 1 Rescue Rig
• Fire with Entrapment
  • 3 Engines, 2 Trucks, 2 Medics, 2 Battalion Chiefs, 1 Rescue Rig
• Explosions
  • 3 Engines, 2 Trucks, 2 Medics, 2 Battalion Chiefs, 1 Rescue Rig
  • Can add additional resources as needed
• Any Fire Declared A Working Fire
  •  Adds Light/Air 30 (air bottle truck),  EMS Supervisor, and FIB (Fire Investigations Bureau)
• Second Alarm
  • Adds 2 Engines, 1 Truck, 1 Battalion, 1 Medic, 1 Rescue Rig to the assignment
  • Often times special command staff begin to respond
• Third Alarm
  • Adds 2 Engines and 1 Truck to the assignment
• Water Rescues
  • Missouri River: 
    • Prompts a dual response from the following agencies:
    • OFD: 1 Engine on River Boat 1, 1 Medic, 1 Rescue Rig, 1 Battalion
    • CBFD: Rescue Boat 22, 1 Engine, 1 Medic, 1 Battalion
    • OPD: OPD Able One (Helicopter) If Needed
    • Eppley Fire: Boat (If Needed)
    • Can call for additional apparatus or boats if needed.
  • Lakes or Other Large Bodies Of Water:
    • 1 Jet Ski, 1 Engine, 1 Medic, 1 Battalion, 1 Rescue
    • Can add additional boats or apparatus as needed.

Types of Rigs:

• Engine Company: Carries water and hoses to attack and put out fires. Staffed with a Captain and 3 Firefighters.

OFD Engine 21

• Truck Company: Carries ladders and tools for entry, search, rescue, and smoke ventilation. Also carries hydraulic rescue tools. Staffed with a Captain and 3 Firefighters.

Truck

• Medic: Advanced Life Support ambulance for patient treatment and hospital transportation. Staffed with two Paramedics. Sometimes referred to as a “squad”.

OFD Medic 21

• Battalion Chief: Incident Commander. Responds to calls where more than one fire rig is dispatched to be in charge of the situation.

Battalion Chief

• Rescue/ Hazmat: Staffed with a Captain and 3 Firefighters
  • Rescue 33/60: Heavy Rescue/ Hazmat, responds to all structure fires and unconventional technical rescues like confined space, high angle, trench, hazardous materials, and water rescues.
  • Rescue 160: Heavy Rescue/ Hazardous materials support trailer.
  • Rescue 30: SCBA air bottle replacement truck, responds to all working fires.
  • Rescue 5: Trench Rescue trailer

Rescue 33

• Water Tender: Water Tenders carry extra water for West Omaha areas not covered by fire hydrants.

Water Tender (Water Tanker)

• Specialty
  • Brush Trucks: Smaller pickup type vehicles used for brush fires/parking garage type fires.  Housed at several stations.
  • Fire Boat 1: Docked on Missouri River near Eppley Airfield in summer, at Station 1 in winter.
  • Jet Skis: Used for water rescues, stored at several stations.
  • MCI Trailer: Used in Mass Causality Situations.  Equipped with extra triage and medical equipment.  Housed at Station 1.
  • Mobile Command Post: Stored at Station 22 and is used for large scale incidents.
  • Fire Cars: Are specialized personnel who respond to the scene.  Can include Fire Investigators, Assistant Fire Chiefs, Fire Chief, Special Operations Chief, Etc.