New Omaha fire, police chiefs announced (An old friend moves up in the ranks!)

[Omaha Steve]

A few years back Mike was running for the state AFL-CIO board. I voted all my local's votes for him. It was those votes that got him his seat on the board. I wish him luck in his new job. :-)

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10388403

Published Wednesday July 23, 2008
New Omaha fire, police chiefs announced
BY TOM SHAW
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

It's official. Eric Buske and Mike McDonnell aren't fill-ins anymore.


Omaha's new Fire Chief Mike McDonnell receives his new badge from his father, Bill.


Mayor Mike Fahey today named Buske as Omaha's police chief and McDonnell as Omaha's fire chief. The two served as interim chiefs for several months.

At a ceremony today, Fahey said the announcements would "begin a new era for Omaha's public safety teams."

"Both of these men have had extraordinary careers and have much in common," Fahey said. "They are both young . . . and have many more years to give to the City of Omaha. Both are well-educated (and) experienced."

The Mayor's Office said both Buske, 46, and McDonnell, 42, finished first in the interview and testing process for the chiefs' jobs.

Buske, a 24-year veteran of the Omaha Police Department, will make between $107,724 and $130,658. McDonnell, an 18-year veteran of the Omaha Fire Department, will earn between $122,759 and $125,097 a year.

FULL story at link.