response – Discover Muscatine WPematico Content

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine Fire Department (MFD) Hazardous Incident Response Team (HIRT) conducted a high angle rescue drill at the Muscatine Water Tower located off of the U.S. Highway 61 By-pass Monday (Sept. 12) with the cooperation of Muscatine Power & Water (MPW).

The exercise simulated a HIRT member going down to rescue an individual who had fallen and was injured while painting the outside of the water tower approximately 150 feet about ground level. The objectives of the exercise were to perform a knot pass, unload a system, and perform a pick off of a victim on the outside of the water tower. Several HIRT members also rappelled down the outside of the water tower.

HIRT takes the knowledge gained from these exercises and provides training to MFD shift members.

HIRT and MFD continually train for a variety of high-risk rescues including high-angle rescues, ice/water rescues/ trench rescues. Firefighters also train in auto extrication, fire prevention, fire suppression, hazardous materials, and ambulance transport.

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Quick response by the Muscatine Fire Department contained a fire in a mobile home to a bedroom Tuesday (Aug. 16) with one occupant of the residence treated at the scene and released.

The Muscatine Joint Communications Center (MUSCOM) received a 911 call at approximately 11:15 a.m. Tuesday of a single-family mobile home on fire at 57 Cyril Avenue, Muscatine, with two animals inside.

Upon arrival fire crews found smoke and fire coming from a rear window and immediately initiated an attack on the fire. They were able to ‘knock down’ the main body of the fire within minutes, and continued to overhaul the rest of the residence to ensure the fire was completely out.

There was fire damage to a rear bedroom and smoke damage throughout the rest of the building. The on-scene investigation determined the initial cause was an accidental fire that started in the bedroom. Smoke detectors did not activate in the mobile home.

Direct fire and smoke loss estimate is approximately $20,000, with about $10,000 to the structure and $10,000 to the contents. The American Red Cross was called to assist the residents including three adults and two small children who have been displaced due to this fire.

There was one injury to an occupant and two cats succumbed to the fire. There were no injuries to responders.

The Muscatine Fire Department was assisted by the Muscatine Police Department. Approximately 17 fire fighters responded to the fire, including four new firefighters who responded from their fire academy training at Station 2.

About the Muscatine Fire Department:

The Muscatine Fire Department provides fire and emergency medical services, rescues (high angle, rope, water, etc.), building inspections, and public education for the City of Muscatine, and the surrounding unincorporated areas of Muscatine County with a combined population of 43,000 across 145 square miles while also providing HAZMAT for Muscatine, Louisa, Washington, Keokuk, and Henry counties. MFD firefighters and paramedics responded to 5,027 calls in 2018. The Muscatine Fire Department began as a volunteer fire company on January 7, 1875 and was established as a full-time department in January 1916. The Muscatine Fire Department ambulance service received the 2012 Career Ambulance service of the Year Award from Iowa Emergency Medical Services.