The Davenport Fire Department has received a $600,000 Port Security Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Along with the city’s $200,000 contribution, this funding will be used to replace the department’s large fireboat, stationed at the city’s boathouse, with a more capable and safer one, the Davenport Fire Department said in a news release.
DFD collaborates with the Quad Cities Area Maritime Security Committee and nearby agencies to ensure the safety and security of the Port of Davenport and surrounding ports. According to the release, the need for an updated fireboat is due to the high volume of commerce that passes through the river, including barges, trains, and commercial passenger vessels.
The new fireboat will feature an enclosed cabin to protect patients from the elements until they can be transferred to an ambulance onshore.
Additionally, it will be equipped with navigational and communication equipment to allow for collaboration with the Coast Guard during large-scale incidents on the river.
