This afternoon, Mayor Jean Stothert selected Bernard Kanger as Chief of the Omaha Fire Department. Kanger had been serving as Interim Chief since August of 2013. Stothert says she chose Kanger because, “He shares my goals for excellence in public safety and administration of the Omaha Fire Department.”
Kanger joined the department in 1991 as a firefighter. His career in public service includes fire protection and prevention, hazardous materials mitigation and medical services.
He has a Master of Science Degree in Executive Fire Service Leadership and a BA in Fire Service Management.
Kanger said his long term vision for the Omaha Fire Department “is to be recognized as a regional and national leader in the delivery of fire and EMS services.”
He said he would like to see the department on the cutting edge of promoting new ideas and solving difficult problems.
Mayor Stothert also mentioned Kanger’s willingness to take steps to control costs within the fire department’s budget, saying “I am confident the days of the Omaha Fire Department overspending by millions each and every year will end.”