News Releases

The Chattanooga Fire Department rescued a man who suffered serious injuries after a fall at Greenway Farms in Hixson Tuesday afternoon. The call came out at 4:36 PM to the park in the 4900 block of Gann Store Road. The man was walking a trail when he says the loose ground gave way. He slipped and fell off the bluff (approximately 30 feet), landing partially on the rocks and partially in the water below. He suffered trauma to his chest and his side and firefighters needed to get him out of the woods, which was not an easy task. Squad 19 (Green Shift) went down the steep trail to get to the patient, assessed him and started treating him. Squad 7, Ladder 19, Special Operations and Battalion 2 went down and set up a rope system to bring the patient up and out. They set up a high angle system and once the patient was in a Stokes Basket, they used the rope system to bring him out. Quint 10 brought a UTV to the scene and they got the patient out of the woods so he could be loaded into an ambulance. He was taken to the hospital by Hamilton County EMS.

The CFD has worked multiple rescues at this location where people have been badly hurt and first responders have had to conduct dangerous, labor intensive rescue operations. We ask visitors and hikers to be mindful of the dangers of walking trails at all times. Please be aware of your surroundings when hiking with the possibility of loose rock and dirt on the terrain. Wear proper footwear for hiking. Make sure you have a cell phone to call for help if needed.

rescue

CFD and our mutual aid partners spent several hours tackling a brush fire off Signal Mountain Boulevard near Palisades Road on Saturday afternoon. Signal Mountain and Waldens Ridge assisted. No homes were impacted. The brush fire was on the front side of the mountain right around the Space House. The roadway was shut down as crews worked to get the fire out. Thanks to all who provided help on the call.

brush fire

Chattanooga welcomes PTSD Awareness Advocate Travis Howze

“Post Traumatic Purpose” classes provided to first responders

What: An empowering course on leadership, mental wellness and resiliency

When: April 4-8 and April 18-22 (Two classes each day at 8 AM and 1 PM)

Location: Chattanooga Fire & Police Training Center

3200 Amnicola Highway

The City of Chattanooga and Hamilton County are teaming up to provide firefighters, police officers, paramedics and dispatchers with an eye-opening presentation on prioritizing their mental health. Travis Howze is an international touring speaker, author, and motivational wellness educator who spent 14 years in the military and emergency services. He will be presenting his “Post Traumatic Purpose” class in April for Hamilton County first responders. It is an empowering, educational course and keynote presentation on leadership, mental wellness and resiliency.

From April 4-8 and April 18-22, there will be two classes each day at 8 AM and 1 PM at the Training Center located at 3200 Amnicola Highway. These classes are open to all current or retired first responders and their adult family members. Due to the subject matter, children are asked not to attend. No registration is needed.

Travis Howze is a Marine Corps veteran, former firefighter, former police officer, stand-up comedian, author and PTSD awareness advocate. He was a Charleston firefighter who responded to the deadly Sofa Superstore fire in 2007 which took the lives of nine brave men. He speaks openly about what happened during the fire, how it led him down a very dark, depressing road, and his journey overcoming PTSD "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder" by finding his new purpose in life.With little to no resources available during his recovery, he decided to become a resource.

Post Traumatic Purpose gives a realistic view of the mental health epidemic that plagues our first responders and their families. Howze’s transparent approach builds a relatability that not only connects with the individual responder but their families; including spouses who are always encouraged to attend in hopes of promoting career and family longevity.

His motivational message focuses on mental health; targeting in on signs and symptoms affected personnel may be displaying through various behavioral patterns and changes, ways of coping with trauma as it applies to the individual, the family and the team. He provides a holistic talk by covering various available resources, the culture and why many never seek help. He is the author of the Best Selling book and top ranked Podcast both titled, "Create Your Own Light." For more than a decade, Howze has met with first responders across the nation, including law enforcement, firefighters, clinicians, the FBI, SWAT teams, private mental health organizations, and the top nationally ranked university student veterans' program.

Post Traumatic Purpose

On 3/18/22 at 11 PM, members of the Chattanooga Fire Department responded to the 1700 block of South Highland Park Avenue where nineteen 55-gallon drums had been dumped in a residential area and were leaking an unknown fluid. CFD’s Special Operations Division was notified and responded to the location. They found that the fluid from the drums had leaked into two other adjacent yards. An environmental cleanup company was notified. Other notifications were made to the appropriate agencies, including TEMA and TDEC. Impacted residents were also informed about the situation. The spill was confined and secured and there was no threat to the surrounding neighborhood. Members of the CFD's Special Operations Division were on the scene assisting with the cleanup effort for more than twelve hours and went above and beyond to make sure all procedures were followed and all steps were taken. Other city departments, including CPD and Public Works, were also involved. The investigation into this incident is ongoing by the Chattanooga Police Department.

On Saturday (3/19/22), Red Shift companies were dispatched to 2599 Hiwassee Street at 2:30 AM on an accident with entrapment. Engine 4 arrived on scene with HCEMS and CPD to a one-car MVC rollover. There was heavy damage to the front and driver side of the vehicle, located in the median divider, on the west side of the Wilcox Tunnel. It was learned that the driver had lost control and struck a tree, located in the median. The vehicle was found resting on its top. The patient was pinned long ways to the floorboard of the front seat. The patient was able to communicate with first responders, but access to the patient was minimal from the exterior of the vehicle. He was completely enveloped by metal. Squad 1 arrived on scene to assist with the rescue. Squad 13 arrived to support the extrication team. The extrication process provided an access point to the patient, where a member of Medic 3 entered the vehicle to provide care and added protection to the patient while the extrication process continued. At 3 AM, the extrication process was complete and the patient was extracted from the vehicle. The extrication itself took 18 minutues. The patient was then packaged and transported to the hospital. It’s believed he suffered a fractured femur in the crash. Great work by Engine 4, Squad 1, Squad 13 and Battalion 3 on getting the patient out of the wreckage.

extircation