The Davenport Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials Team started in October of 1991. Prior to the inception of the Davenport Hazardous Materials Team, Scott County Disaster Services was responsible for hazardous materials response. The Davenport Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team consists of a Captain who manages about 45 personnel that are trained as either a Hazardous Materials Technician or Hazardous Materials Specialist.
Our technicians and specialists are assigned to stations throughout the City with a majority being assigned to Station 6, which is referred to as the Hazardous Materials Station and houses the Hazardous Materials Response Vehicle. The Davenport Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team responds and assists with incidents within the City of Davenport, the western side of Scott County, Clinton County, and Jackson County. The Hazardous Materials Team is continually training and completes over 2,400 training hours annually, along with providing training for more than 200 first responders outside of the City of Davenport. Our Technicians and Specialists also participate in special training schools located across the United States.
In 2007, the Davenport Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team signed an agreement with Iowa Homeland Security to enhance statewide capabilities for response to statewide hazardous materials incidents involving Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) or terrorist activities. In 2007, seven statewide teams were recognized as the Iowa WMD Strike Force Team. In 2015, Iowa Homeland Security reduced the Iowa WMD Strike Force Team to three teams. The three teams are currently Davenport, Des Moines, and Council Bluffs. The Iowa WMD Strike Force Team trains regularly with the 71st Civil Support Team who is a National Guard Unit designed to provide a specialized capability to respond to chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) incidents.
The Davenport Fire Department also has a Hazardous Materials Program which encompasses inspections, planning and training. The Fire Services Section on the Fire webpage provides more information about this program.