Fire Department Boat Questioned

An Omaha Fire Department proposal to buy a $34,000 speedboat for water rescue operations is taking heat from some government officials. At least one City Council member vows to vote against the idea when it comes before the council Tuesday.

The department's finances were under scrutiny before the speedboat matter arose. But department administrators argue that the boat won't be financed by taxpayers and will allow quicker response to water emergencies.

“We've always responded to any sort of river rescue,” said Capt. Jim Gentile, a Fire Department spokesman. “But our idea is if we can get there faster, it will help the public.”

Critics say the area has enough resources to cover water rescue situations, and they worry that public funds might be needed to maintain, store and staff the boat.

Councilman Franklin Thompson said he plans to vote against the purchase.

Councilwoman Jean Stothert declined to say how she'll vote, but said she can't see a benefit because the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and other agencies have the Missouri River covered.

“We have no idea what the cost of the program will be,” Stothert said. “The purchase of the boat is small, compared to maintenance costs.”

Douglas County Sheriff Tim Dunning met with Stothert and City Council staff last week about the boat proposal. He said that at least six agencies, including his, have boats available for rescue operations.

Dunning said his office fields an average of six to eight calls a month between May and September for water operations.

Almost none of the calls are for actual rescues, he said. He could think of only two rescue calls his staff has handled in the past 16 years. Other calls were to recover weapons or vehicles used in crimes, or an occasional body in the river after a suicide or boating accident.

“There's no shortage of boats,” Dunning said.

Gentile wouldn't comment on that point but said the boat would protect anyone who needed it. “If anybody uses the river, it's our obligation just to make sure that they're safe.”

The Fire Department has bought about $21,000 in equipment for the boat. Those items did not require City Council approval because the various costs fell below the level at which council approval is necessary, Stothert said.

She stressed that the issue is not the cost of the boat. Rather, she said, it is the unknown cost of staffing, training and maintenance.

Gentile said grants and private money would cover those expenses.

Hats Off Motorsports submitted the winning bid to provide the boat. The twin-engine, 21-foot Yamaha sport boat can seat nine people and run in as little as 2½ feet of water. Its $34,000 price tag was the lowest of two bids received that met the Fire Department's list of 25 specifications.