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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

Board of Directors

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.

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.

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