News Releases

Chattanooga Fire and other agencies worked a tragic call on the Tennessee River Saturday night. At 7:42 PM on 5/18/24, CFD units were dispatched to 4063 Amnicola Highway for an Emergency on the Water following reports that two adult males fell in the water and were not seen coming out. First responders went to the boat ramp at the Tennessee Riverpark during the response which later shifted from a rescue to recovery operation. One deceased drowning victim was located and crews continued searching for the other missing party. By 10PM, the other victim had been recovered and all divers were out of the water. Chattanooga firefighters, including Fireboat 10, were on the call, along with Dallas Bay Fire & Rescue’s Dive Team, CPD, Hamilton County EMS, and Hamilton County STARS. The CFD offers sincere condolences to the families of the victims. They were not wearing life vests. They were standing on a floating dock and family members told first responders that one of the men fell into the river and the other victim jumped into the water in an effort to save him. The Chattanooga Fire Department urges people of all ages to wear Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) anytime they’re near water. Summer is upon us and we don’t want to see anyone else lose their life.

In recent weeks, several people have fallen off docks in Chattanooga and drowned in the Tennessee River. Two men lost their lives over the weekend and another 21-year-old man died last month. Water safety should be top of mind as we head into the summer months. It only takes a second for conditions in and on the water to change, and even the savviest swimmers can find themselves in an unsafe situation if they aren’t careful. Help improve the safety of your friends and family when in, on or around the water. Here are guidelines for children, teens AND adults from the Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security:
• Wear a life jacket at all times! The Tennessee Law states that every person must have a life jacket on board a boat.
• Wear a life jacket if you are at least 2 feet from a body of water.
• Do not boat under the influence of alcohol. It affects your judgement, vision, balance and coordination. Factor in boat motion, sun, wind, can accelerate a drinker’s impairment.
• Inspect your boat/water recreation vehicle before you take on the water. Make sure everything is working properly.
• Never swim alone! Be sure to use the “buddy system”.
• When swimming in lakes, you should refrain from area that are marked with signs of DANGER OF DROP OFFs or STRONG CURRENTS.
• Never dive first into unknown water. Even if you are familiar with a like or river, conditions under water can change.
• Don’t rely on floatation devices or water rings to keep children safe. An adult should be swimming with them until they are strong enough to swim without an adult.
• Always make sure someone knows where you are and what time you plan to return.

TN Riverpark drownings

A house fire in North Chattanooga caused extensive damage Saturday afternoon. Red Shift companies responded to Lawn Street at 12:35 PM on 5/18/24. Battalion Chief May was first on the scene and saw heavy smoke coming from the residence. Next he heard glass breaking and saw flames coming out of the windows. Everyone was out of the burning structure. Firefighters launched a defensive attack initially because of a downed power supply line. Crews later transitioned to an offensive attack, making a good push on the fire on the interior of the home. Then they targeted remaining hot spots. There were no injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Squad 1, Engine 1, Ladder 5, Engine 17, Engine 16, Engine 22, Battalion 1 and Battalion 3 were on the scene, along with CFD investigators.

Lawn St house fire

The Tennessee Military Department, along with state and local agencies, conducted an emergency response exercise throughout the state this week. Named “Tennessee Maneuvers 2024,” the exercise simulated an emergency response to a flood in southeast Tennessee. In Chattanooga on Thursday, a helicopter could be seen from Highway 153 pulling people out of the water. Multiple survivors were located north of the Chickamauga Dam and needed to be rescued. Firefighters and soldiers were lifted out of the water and into the helicopter and then taken to safety. Chattanooga Fire, Hamilton County EMS, TVA Police, TEMA, Nashville Fire Department’s Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team, and the Tennessee National Guard were present. Drills like this give agencies the opportunity to collaborate and prepare for a major disaster response.

TNHart training

CFD, CPD and Public Works rushed to help a Chattanooga police officer Thursday morning. On May 9, 2024, at 8:18 AM, the officer was on routine patrol in the 1600 block of Hixson Pike when a tree fell on his patrol vehicle. The officer was unable to exit the vehicle, so he requested assistance. Chattanooga Fire Department's Red Shift Battalion 3, Squad 1, Squad 19, Squad 20, and Engine 16 responded to the scene. Chattanooga Public Works was in the area working to clear debris with a front end loader. CPD and CFD requested assistance from Public Works to lift the tree off of the CPD patrol vehicle. Once the tree was lifted off of the vehicle, the officer was able to open the door and get out of the vehicle. Hamilton County EMS transported the officer to a local hospital with minor injuries. CPD's Traffic Unit responded to conduct the investigation.

tree on car

Blue Shift companies responded to the 100 block of McFarland Avenue in North Chattanooga at 3:55 AM on 5/9/24 after 911 received reports of a residential structure fire. Firefighters immediately started attacking flames found at the back of the house. They extinguished the fire and the cause is under investigation. No injuries to report.

mcfarland house fire