The residents of the Quincy area are blessed with an abundance of water. Not only are we on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, but there are also literately hundreds of lakes, streams, ponds and creeks within 30 minutes of Quincy. Our citizens work and play on the water year round. Unfortunately, there are times when trouble follows us past the waters edge.

For many years the Quincy Fire Department has provided expert rescue services to Quincy and the surrounding area, and as time went by it became obvious to us that a quick water response team was needed in our area. To fill that need the department formed a Water Response Team (WRT) in 1983. The team was originally manned by three individuals who agreed to buy their own equipment and pay for their SCUBA lessons if the department would fund advanced training operations at a later date.

Since that time, the team has grown in size and the department has made an increased commitment in both time and money. Today the team is comprised of eleven highly trained individuals, and the department purchases and maintains state of the art equipment to support them. Membership on the team is voluntary and subject to the approval of the team coordinator. Each member is PADI certified to at least the Rescue Diver level. As an additional precaution, each member is also an EMT or Paramedic. In addition to their initial training, the members train an average of 24 to 30 hours each year sharpening their skills. Whether the call comes for a boating accident, ice rescue or underwater evidence recovery, the team stands ready and able.

The team serves Quincy and the surrounding areas when requested by a law enforcement agency or another fire department.