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Omaha Fire Dept.

The Omaha Firefighters Historical Society

Our Mission

Our mission is to accumulate, safeguard, and educate the public, and to make available for public view, the history of the Omaha Fire Department.

In Memoriam

Society Officers

Jim Bosanek

Vice President

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Lowell Ferguson

Treasurer

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Sam Douchey

Secretary

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Board of Directors

Dave Sobotka

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Mike Connor

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Mike Davenport

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John Stolinski

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Robb Gottsch

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Nick Winey

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A Legacy of Service and Courage Since 1860

The story of the Omaha Fire Department is one of grit, growth, and quiet heroism. Since 1860, Omaha firefighters have stood on the front lines of disaster and change, risking everything to protect their neighbors. What began as a small volunteer crew with little more than buckets and bravery has grown into a full-scale department powered by training, technology, and tradition. Behind every call and every uniform are generations of people who gave everything they had — and we’re here to remember them.

Be Part of Preserving Omaha’s Firefighter Legacy

This history belongs to all of us — and it can’t survive without you. Your support helps us document the lives and legacies of Omaha’s firefighters through publications, archives, and future exhibits.

Support Us

Jim Bosanek

Jim was born and raised in Midtown Omaha. His father was a South Omaha native; he worked in the communications division of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office for 37 years. His father was also a reserve deputy sheriff and founding member of the boat patrol. He met Jim’s mother at Douglas County Hospital where she was a nurse. The hospital was a frequent ambulance destination. With these important influences in his life, Jim wanted to become a firefighter/paramedic for as long as he can remember. And he’s not afraid to admit that the popular TV show Emergency played a major part in his interest too.

Jim took the EMT course through Metro Tech his senior year of high school. Afterwards he moved to Valley, becoming a volunteer member of the Valley Fire Department. In 1999 Jim enrolled in the yearlong paramedic program at Creighton University. The Valley Fire Department was not an ALS service at the time; Jim moved to Irvington, becoming a volunteer with Irvington Fire Department. In 2002, and after testing for the 5th time, Jim was hired by the Omaha Fire Department.

Soon after his probationary year Jim met Stan Shearer. Together, with Stan and Dave Sobotka, they created the Omaha Firefighters Historical Society. Their first major project was the publication of the 2010 history book.

Jim has been assigned as the engineer of Engine 1, A-Shift, since October 2008. In April of 2024, Jim was promoted to Captain.

Lowell Ferguson

Lowell Ferguson was hired by the Omaha Fire Department in 2016. In 2020 he attended paramedic school and has served as the Lead Medic on Medic 5 and Medic 2.

Lowell has been a member of the OFD Honor Guard since 2019. That same year he picked up the Scottish Highland Bagpipes; he has since piped at the Firefighter Memorial in Colorado Springs, at the 20th Anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, and numerous graduations, ceremonies and funerals.

Lowell was introduced to the Omaha Firefighters Historical Society while in the fire academy. In 2018 he began attending regular meetings and the following year he assisted with the reorganization, which saw him elected as Society Treasurer. He has been the Society editor since November 2021, publishing the Pioneer Hook & Ladder Quarterly.

Prior to the fire department Lowell was an Operations Manager for a national emergency helicopter company, tasked with performance evaluation and improvement, root cause analysis, and policy implementation. He is a veteran of the Marine Corps, serving as an infantryman in the 3rd Marine Regiment. He has been married to Nicole for 20 years; they have four daughters.

Sam Douchey

Sam Douchey was hired by the Omaha Fire Department in July 2012. He is a third generation public servant. Sam’s father was a police officer in New York City; his grandfather, Sam Douchey, was an Omaha Firefighter who died in the line of duty in 1965.

Sam has spent the majority of his career assigned to an engine. After the fire academy he was assigned to Engine Co. No. 41., B-Shift. He remained on this apparatus until he completed paramedic school, at which point he was assigned to Medic Co. No. 5, C-Shift, in April 2019. As a Lead Medic on this apparatus, he was awarded numerous Code Save certificates. In Fall 2021, Sam moved in-station, to Engine Co. No. 5, a special operations apparatus.

Sam believes strongly in the modernization of firefighting techniques. He is a proponent of continuous training. Sam balances his belief with a deep reverence of history and tradition. He has been a member of the Historical Society since 2021.

Dave Sobotka

David has been involved in the fire service for over 27 years. David found his passion following his fathers footsteps, who was a volunteer firefighter and also worked for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office as a dispatcher and a crime lab technician. As a young adult, David also had an interest in law enforcement, however due to the encouragement of his mother, David perused his career in firefighting instead.

In 2012, David Graduated the Omaha Police Academy, beginning his career as an Omaha Arson Investigator. To his mom’s content, she claimed David “back doored” his way around her wish for him to not pursue a law enforcement career.

David has taken a staunch stance to the importance of Arson Investigation and has increased the performance of the Arson Unit by becoming the City of Omaha’s first Arson Dog Handler.

Sometime in the early 2000’s, Stan and Jim approached David with the idea of co-authoring a new history book and by doing so, they loosely formed the first Omaha Firefighters Historical Society.

David was asked to fill the role of Secretary after a vacancy was created where he has continued this role since. David is a devoted family man being married to Michelle and raising 3 children together.

Mike Connor

Mike Connor has had a life time interest in Omaha history and the Omaha fire dept. Mike has been been the official OFD photographer for over 30 years. He was involved in both the 1993 & 2010 OFD history book publications.

Mike have a large collection of photos, documents and other OFD historical items including a 1969 American Lafrance pumper former OFD Engine 41.

Mike Davenport

Michael Davenport currently serves the citizens of Omaha, NE as the Public Education coordinator for the South West district and the Youth Fire Intervention Specialist working with youth fire setters since 2016. Michael has been a firefighter for over 21 years and shares his expertise as an adjunct instructor in the Fire Science Technology Program at Metropolitan Community College.

As the Youth Fire Intervention Specialist, Michael has led this program in initiating strong mitigation strategies for youth through education and engagement with a 2023 goal of ‘reducing YFI cases through education and intervention’.

Michael is committed to community partnerships and believes in facilitating positive experiences for families and youth. As part of his commitment to the community Michael has the honor of working with Project Harmony and the Juvenile Justice Court in identifying the correct services for families in need.

Michael holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Public Relations from Dana College, an Associate’s degree in Fire Science from Southeast Community College, and is NFPA certified as Youth Fire Setter Educator.

Michael is a member of the Omaha Fire Department Historical Society and Honor Guard in his off time. Michael is a proud military vet who served in three tours with the Army.

John Stolinski

John Stolinski joined the Omaha Fire Department in 1999. He was promoted to Battalion Chief in 2011. John oversaw the Technical Services Division from 2011 to 2020, when he assumed command of Battalion 1, B Shift.

John is an Omaha native, and graduate of Gross Catholic High School. He’s had a lifelong interest in fire department history, largely due to his family’s stolid history with the organization. The first member of John’s family to join OFD was Jerry Kissane. He joined the department in 1915, enlisted in the Army during WWI. He was subsequently killed in France in 1918. John’s grandfather, Frank Stolinski, served 42 years, retiring in 1958 as First Assistant Chief. John’s uncle, Jerry Stolinski, served 30 years and attended Nebraska’s first paramedic class. John’s cousin, Chester Guinane, served over 30 years, retiring as a Battalion Chief. John’s brother, Dan Stolinski, has served 27 years and is a Battalion Chief.

John is the commander of the Fire Department’s Honor Guard; he has served on the Memorial Committee since its inception. John is a proud member of Local 385, Omaha Professional Firefighters. He has been a member of the Historical Society since 2008. John has been married to his wife Susan for 20 years. They have three sons.

Robb Gottsch

Robb Gottsch started his fire service career in February 1993, joining the Omaha Fire Department. He is a second generation Omaha firefighter, following in the footsteps of his father: Captain Gary Gottsch.

Robb has held multiple positions within the organization: Fire Captain, Fire Investigator, and Battalion Chief. He was decorated with OFD’s Medal of Courage following a rescue conducted without the protection of a hose line. Robb is a certified law enforcement officer.

Robb has spent over a decade as an adjunct professor in the Fire Science department of the University of Nebraska in Omaha. He espouses the value of proactive training and education; as an educator he has influenced thousands of local firefighters – and those aspiring to the same.

Robb retired from Omaha Fire in March 2023, completing more than 30 years of service. In April he was appointed the Fire Chief of Papillion. He has been a member of the Omaha Firefighters Historical Society since the 2018 reorganization.

Nick Winey

Nick Winey began his career with the Omaha Fire Department in 2008. During his career he has worked at Station No. 34, and Station No. 33 were he is a member of the Special Operations team. He was promoted to Fire Captain in 2024.

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