Sidney Volunteer Fire Department becomes first in Nebraska to add Holmatro OmniShore system

SIDNEY, Neb. — The Sidney Volunteer Fire Department became the first fire department in Nebraska to place the Holmatro OmniShore stabilization system into service, adding next-generation rescue and stabilization technology to its emergency response capabilities.

Fire Chief Matt Butts said the OmniShore system significantly improves firefighter safety and efficiency compared to older stabilization equipment that had been in use for nearly three decades.

“The Holmatro OmniShore system gives our firefighters the ability to stabilize everything from passenger vehicles to semis, buses, trenches and collapsed structures with far greater speed and safety than the older equipment we’ve used for nearly 30 years,” Butts said. “With this new system, there are fewer steps to deploy and it weighs less, which means our crews can get it in place faster and with less physical strain.”

Butts said being the first department in the state to deploy the OmniShore system means Sidney residents benefit from the most modern stabilization technology available when seconds matter most.

Funding for the equipment came entirely from community-supported pickle card, also known as pull tab, fundraising at local businesses. Butts said the purchase is a direct example of how community support strengthens local emergency services.

“This upgrade is a perfect example of how community support directly strengthens our emergency response,” he said.

Department members recently completed in-service training on the OmniShore and V-Strut stabilization systems, conducted by Holmatro and FYR-TEK. Officials said the new tools will be used in vehicle crashes, trench rescues, structural collapses and other complex rescue scenarios.

(Photo Courtesy: Sidney Volunteer Fire Department)