Omaha plans 18 firefighter hires with $3.9M grant

Omaha will add 18 firefighters using a nearly $3.9 million federal SAFER grant accepted by the City Council, with the city contributing about $2.4 million. The grant will help cover salaries and benefits for three years beginning in 2027; the city will assume the full cost in 2030. The hires are in addition to nine firefighter positions already budgeted for 2027, bringing department staffing to 714 and helping support around-the-clock coverage as the city grows.