Special Teams
Water Rescue
Response Craft
&Team
A team of fire fighters obtained a military
surplus boat in 1994.
Fire fighters literally designed, constructed, retrofitted, and equipped
the boat for service. The watercraft has responded to hundreds of
calls for assistance since inception in the spring of 1994. The teams from
station two 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 period
and again in the greater Houston area in 1998 during extreme flooding. A
second boat was donated by the Busbee family in 1999 to replace the original
craft described above which is now in reserve. In 2001, the department
purchased 24’ Zodiac Boat and is currently in service.
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 volunteers 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.
HazMat 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 techniques and
hazardous materials environments. They provide 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 processional
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 curing ceremonial functions.