Fewer firefighters on a truck?

Omaha City Councilman Ben Gray wants to repeal the city ordinance that mandates minimum staffing of four firefighters per truck.

The city's fire contract and an ordinance passed in 2000 both require Omaha to have four firefighters per truck.

Gray said repealing the ordinance would make the next round of fire contract negotiations fairer to the city. "This is a an issue of fairness," Gray said Thursday. Otherwise, city officials are "negotiating with one hand tied behind their back."

Gray and Councilman Franklin Thompson plan to introduce the proposal at the council's July 14 meeting. Thompson has long been in favor of fewer firefighters per rig.

Fire Union President Steve LeClair said the union will oppose any change in minimum staffing, saying the current standard protects the public and is safer for firefighters.