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History

The Midwest Center for Safety and Rescue Training (MSCRT) was born in February, 2007, when the Eastern Iowa Community College District purchased a former water park just off Interstate 80, north of Davenport.

From the beginning, the intent was to turn the 30-acre facility into a unique training ground for firefighters, emergency response professionals and many other groups as they enhance their safety and rescue skills.

“In addition to traditional fire, safety and rescue training, we will offer training related to rescues on the river and other bodies of water,” EICC Executive Director for Continuing Education Dr. Nancy Kothenbeutel said when the purchase was announced. “Such training is only minimally available either locally or statewide. This is because weather conditions often make training unsuitable.

“To find training in a controlled, safe and clean environment, area firefighters currently travel to the east, west or gulf coast for training on shipboard firefighting, marine firefighting and fireboat,” she said.

A tremendous amount of work has been accomplished since the anouncement. The multi-use facility is regularly used for fire department, ambulance, law enforcement, homeland security, hazardous materials training, programming within the skilled trades area for business and industry and much more.

EICC continutes to work closely with officials in all of these professions and throughout its geographic district to determine the best uses for the facility.