In a release from Mayor Jean Stothert's office dated September 6, 2017:
The City of Omaha and the Elkhorn Suburban Fire Protection District No. 2 have reached a tentative agreement to continue to provide fire, rescue and medical services to those in the district.
Mayor Jean Stothert, Omaha Fire Chief Dan Olsen, Elkhorn Suburban Fire Chief Travis Harlow and Elkhorn Suburban Fire District Board President Bill Armbrust negotiated the terms of the agreement Wednesday. The tentative 10 year agreement must be approved by the Elkhorn Suburban Fire Protection District Board of Directors and the Omaha City Council
Last week, the Elkhorn Suburban Fire Protection District announced it would not renew the current contract with the Omaha Fire Department when it expires in 2018 and would instead re=establish an operational fire department to cover approximately 36 square miles in western Douglas County. Both sides agreed to return to negotiations this week.
“We all share the goal to provide excellent fire and medical services to the citizens of both jurisdictions“ said Mayor Stothert. “We are pleased that we will continue to work together.”
“The goal of the Elkhorn Suburban Fire Protection District is to provide the residents and property owners within the District with excellent fire and rescue services at a reasonable cost whether that be through a contract with the City or a re-established fire department,” said District President Bill Armbrust. “We believe the negotiated terms of this contract with the City shall achieve that goal for the District.”
Specific details of the agreement will be announced after the board and council have been briefed.