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Omaha City Council rejected a request from the Omaha Fire
Department to purchase a $34,000 rescue boat on Tuesday.
Private donors have pledged more than $1 million for the
purchase and maintenance of the boat so no tax payer dollars are
involved. The council has asked for proof of the pledge and more
information before considering this issue further.
The fire department has stated the boat is critical for water
rescues and would include a trained dive team. Currently, when an
emergency arises on the river, rescue personnel must wait for
someone to operate a boat owned by Douglas County. The wait could
be crucial when a life is at stake.
Fire officials did ask the county last April for permission to
operate their boat when needed but heard no response from them so
they moved forward with this request. The county has stated they
are even planning on purchasing a second boat for lake rescues.
With the increased boat traffic on the river, especially in the
Omaha area, the idea of the OFD having its own rescue boat just
seems to make sense. 
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