Photos: Dubuque’s New Hazmat Mobile Command Center

According to a press release, the Dubuque Fire Department is welcoming the newest unit to its fleet, a Hazmat/Mobile Command 571. This new unit replaces a 1998 vehicle. And now we have photos of the latest addition.

The primary use of the vehicle is to respond to, control, and mitigate hazardous material (hazmat) incidents. The unit carries a wide variety of equipment used by Dubuque Fire to handle these events for the City of Dubuque and Dubuque County.

Since seconds make a difference in any emergency or possible chemical disaster, mobile command vehicles enhance an agency’s ability to get to the scene quickly with the tools they need. Customized HAZMAT response vehicles provide fast, on-the-scene materials analysis that help our local men and women more efficiently and effectively do their jobs.

Additionally, the mobile command function of this unit includes a slide-out section which allows the vehicle to be utilized as a meeting room for large-scale, multi-jurisdictional events.

The vehicle is also equipped with a leveling system for incidents when it is parked on a grade.

The design of this unit will allow Dubuque Fire to upgrade or modify as new technology and equipment becomes available without compromising the functions of the vehicle.

The vehicle is also available upon request for other City of Dubuque departments to use for extended events. Thank you to Nicholas Esch for sending us the photos! If you'd like to see it in person, the vehicle will be on display and open for tours from 5:30 to 6 pm on Monday, February 20th, on West Sixth Street in front of the Historic Federal Building. The public is invited to attend to see the latest in Dubuque’s fight to keep citizens safe.