Waterloo Fire Rescue Operations

Operations
Waterloo Fire Rescue is staffed with professionals whom are highly skilled and passionate. Through their dedication, fortitude, adaptability, and ongoing training, these professionals are able to expertly provide service around-the-clock to over 70,000 citizens and visitors of Waterloo. The bargaining unit for personnel is the IAFF, local 66. 

In addition to its role in fire suppression and rescue, the department provides fire-service based Emergency Medical Services (EMS). In our system, ambulances are staged at firehouses and are staffed by cross-trained firefighter-paramedics. This affords considerable efficiency and flexibility to its operations, especially for incidents in which medical and fire professionals must dovetail (e.g., motor vehicle accidents or other rescues where injury is sustained). 

Interlocal (28E) response agreements exist to provide fire protection for the East Waterloo and Cedar townships and for Elk Run Heights. Ambulance agreements provide emergency medical assistance for several nearby cities: Allison, Denver, Dunkerton, Dysart, Evansdale, Fairbank, Gladbrook, Grundy Center, Hudson, Jesup, La Porte City, Reinbeck, Traer, Vinton, and Wellsburg. Hazardous materials response and training is provided for nearly all populations in 11 counties of northeastern Iowa through 28E agreements, covering 6,291 square miles: Allamakee, Black Hawk, Bremer, Butler, Chickasaw, Grundy, Hardin, Howard, Poweshiek, Tama, and Winneshiek.

Emergency services are provided with 22 frontline apparatus, ranging from aerial ladders to ambulances to rescue boats, staffed by an average of 27 personnel per shift at 6 different stations. The department is comprised of three battalions (shifts).