Waterloo Fire Rescue

WFR crews are reviewing hazardous materials operational response this week for our annual department Hazardous Materials Operations recert training. As part of the core training a review of an emergency decon set up was performed as pictured.

In Honor of EMS Week 2026, WFR would like to thank Administrative Assistant Dawn Ward, for her devotion to EMS and to the residents of Waterloo.



Dawn Ward has been with the EMS Division of Waterloo Fire Rescue for the past two years. She attended Hawkeye Community College and obtained an associate’s degree in Executive Secretary with intentions of entering the legal field. After getting hired at a local hospital to “get her foot in the door”, she never looked back. “The medical field fascinated me, and I knew this is where I belonged.” Now, after 35 years in the medical field and 27 of those years in emergency services, she is proud to be able to utilize her experience and knowledge of ambulance billing and reimbursement at Waterloo Fire Rescue. “I enjoy the diversity of my job and having the opportunity to gain new experiences in this ever-changing field of EMS.”

In Honor of EMS Week 2026, WFR would like to recognize Medical Officer, Greg Stewart for his dedication to EMS and to the citizens of Waterloo.

“With over 23 years of dedicated service in Emergency Medical Services, including 21 years with Waterloo Fire Rescue and 17 years serving as Medical Officer, I am proud to be part of our fire-based ambulance team. As an Emergency Medical Services Instructor, Fire Service Instructor, ACLS Instructor, and BLS Instructor — and holding my PALS certification — I am deeply committed to assisting the next generation of EMS professionals while continuously improving our care. My focus in EMS has always been data-driven quality improvement and delivering exceptional customer service to every patient we serve. I am excited about the future of our profession and look forward to greater integration of technology, which will help simplify the workload for EMS providers and allow us to deliver an even broader range of advanced skills, care, and treatment in the field.”