“By placing Med 78 into service, surrounding medic units will have a greater ability to serve the citizens of Omaha within their own designated territories with less frequency traveling outside their own boundaries,” he said.

The next-closest medic units have been at Station 56 near 156th and Pacific Streets, Station 42 near 102nd Street and West Maple Road, and Station 71 near 204th Street and West Maple Road.

Station 78 covers about 16 square miles, from 120th Street to 168th Street, and Fort Street to West Dodge Road.

For the next 17 months, it also will continue to serve the territory of the Elkhorn Suburban Fire District.

The Elkhorn fire district said Wednesday that it wants to create its own department and end a contract for services with Omaha that is set to expire at the end of 2018, citing concerns about how much it pays to the City of Omaha.

Stothert said Thursday that Medic Unit 78’s return has been planned for nearly a year. Having the right services in place is important in a growing area of the city, she said.

Her 2018 budget adopted by the council last week included six firefighter positions to provide around-the-clock staffing for the unit.