Fire Department

SPECIAL TEAMS

Water Rescue Response Craft
A team of Fire Fighters obtained a military surplus boat in 1994 from the City of Friendswood. Mercury Outboard Inc. provided the engine through a special program for public safety departments. Fire Fighters literally designed, constructed, retrofitted, and equipped the boat for service. The water craft has responded to hundreds of calls for assistance since inception in the spring of 1994. The teams from Station 2 offer a wide array of services ranging from safety patrol around the dike during major holidays, boat and passenger recovery, emergency medical services, and water/boating safety. Personnel are certified in water rescue, boat safety, and maritime rescue techniques. The water rescue craft was used during extreme flooding in the Conroe area in the fall of 1994 rescuing two hundred people in a forty eight hour period and again in the greater Houston area in 1998 during extreme flooding. A second boat has been donated and retrofitted to replace the original craft described above.

Hazardous Materials Response Team
The department in cooperation with FEMA certified all Fire Fighters in hazardous materials response capability over a two year period. Many members are now certified at the Technical level, which is the highest degree of certification for response teams. Our program and its coordinators have achieved national recognition by FEMA. A newly purchased 24' trailer was retrofitted and equipped by Fire personnel for response and mitigation of all Haz-Mat incidents in our jurisdiction. On board computers are available for technical data of chemicals and materials and for instant "plume modeling" in the event of chemical releases. T.C.F.D. Haz-Mat Team provides response services countywide through mutual aid agreements and cooperative agreements with the Galveston County Health Office and County Fire Fighters Association.

High Angle Rescue/Confined Space Rescue Team
The department trained and certified a confined space and high angle rescue response team on each shift in 1994. These individuals are trained and equipped at the highest level possible in all areas of intricate rescue of individuals trapped in vessels, tanks, towers, processing units, and other confined areas throughout Texas City, especially within the industrial zone. A number of highly complex and sophisticated rescues of industrial workers have been accomplished by this team since inception.

Honor Guard
At the suggestion of Mayor Doyle, T.C.F.D. created a well trained precisional Honor Guard squad that has been used for numerous events in Texas City and throughout Galveston County. The Honor Guard provides the finishing touch and civic pride during ceremonial functions.

Mission: Provide exceptional, high quality programs and service that * Enhance the community, * Exceed customer expectation, * at an acceptable cost to the taxpayer. Vision: Working together to enhance the community.