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Chattanooga Fire Department excels in 2021, saves more than half a billion dollars in property
It was a momentous 2021 for the Chattanooga Fire Department as firefighters marked 150 years of dedicated service to our great city and its citizens. The sesquicentennial was celebrated in a number of ways as our department looked back on its tremendous growth and constant advancements. A newly published history book captured our agency’s story through the years, paying tribute to the generations of firefighters who shaped the CFD. It was also a very busy year for our firefighters. Throughout 2021, members of the department continued their excellent response to thousands of calls in the midst of the pandemic.
In 2021, the CFD responded to 23,328 calls, including 202 structure fires, 9,322 EMS calls and motor vehicle crashes, as well as 2,193 “Assist a Citizen” calls. Crews saved $522,664,545 in property from fire damage.
“I’m proud of the firefighters who do such an outstanding job each and every day. The commitment and sacrifice they make to keep our community safe is not only heartfelt, but it’s what the CFD stands for,” said Fire Chief Phil Hyman.
The Chattanooga Fire Department continues to adapt to the ever-changing environment created by the coronavirus pandemic, keeping safety a priority as firefighters remain on the front lines. We welcomed a new mayor and staff, embracing their vision and goals for Chattanooga. We thank them for all of their help with securing substantial pay raises for fire and police. The new starting pay places the CFD in a very competitive range with other departments in the area and statewide, aiding with recruitment and retention. The city’s leadership is also dedicated to helping our department advance forward with new positions, equipment and technology. We have two new fire rescue boats going into service in February. A new fire engine is now at Station 9 to serve the East Lake area, replacing a 1995 apparatus. Six new UTVs will be used to service our bike parks, river parks and nature trails. They will also provide access to damaged areas in the wake of severe weather.
The CFD beefed up training in 2021, continuing to enhance our Training Division through specialized courses and multi-company drills. We’ve worked with the International Association of Fire Fighters to enhance our training program for fire ground survival which is critical for firefighter safety and self-rescue. Our Logistics Division has been instrumental in getting new equipment for our fire trucks, keeping stations stocked and working on different station/building enhancements. Our Special Operations Division has attended a number of outside classes. We have been able to send firefighters to specialized training for structural collapse and vehicle extrication. We updated our entire gas monitor program so that we can best determine if the air quality is safe on different scenes. The Fire Investigation Division continues to manage an increased caseload which has resulted in a number of arson arrests. Our Fire Prevention Bureau has been able to continue their service in inspections during the pandemic with an overall increase in new construction in the Chattanooga area. Our Operations Division had a 24% increase in overall call volume and has successfully responded to all emergency and nonemergency calls to help people in their time of need.
In 2022, we will train and welcome another group of fire cadets into the CFD family. We hope to break ground on a new Station 15 in the Eastdale community. We look forward to serving the citizens and visitors in Chattanooga as we keep laying the groundwork for the CFD’s success in the next 150 years.
“As we move into 2022, it will be imperative to remain flexible and proactive as a department. Not only will we continue to focus on protecting our community, we will also take care of each other as we tackle challenges and changes on the horizon. The future looks very bright for the CFD,” Chief Hyman stated.
1-2-22 Residents, pets safe after Browntown Rd house fire
Chattanooga firefighters had a quick knockout of a house fire Sunday night, preventing flames from spreading to the rest of the home. At 7:05 PM, Green Shift companies responded to a residence in the 6000 block of Browntown Road. The occupants had called 911 indicating that they smelled smoke in the structure. Three residents and their pets escaped safely. Firefighters saw smoke showing when they arrived on the scene and located fire on the interior. They conducted a search and investigation and started attacking the fire, managing to contain it to a bedroom and minimizing damage. Then crews managed hot spots to make sure the fire was fully extinguished. There were no injuries. The cause is under investigation. Engine 22, Quint 17, Quint 16, Squad 19, Battalion 2, Battalion 3, Red Bank Fire, CPD, HCEMS and EPB were on the call.
12-28-21 Burning rubber pile sparks commercial response at concrete plant
CFD Blue Shift companies have been extremely busy across the city Tuesday, working an apartment fire, conducting a rescue and tackling an evening commercial fire, in addition to many other calls for service. At 8:06 PM, firefighters responded to a reported dumpster fire at Buzzi Chattanooga, the concrete plant at 1201 Suck Creek Road. They found flames in a large granulated rubber storage bin (approximately 30 feet tall and 40 feet wide). The big mound of rubber was burning on arrival. The call initially came in as a dumpster fire and crews called for a commercial fire response when they realized what they were dealing with. They had a good knockdown on the fire, getting it under control fast. Firefighters have been conducting a thorough overhaul, breaking up piles of rubber to make sure the fire is fully extinguished. There were no injuries. Quint 17, Quint 1, Squad 1, Ladder 1, Engine 12, Quint 14, Quint 16, Battalion 1 and Battalion 3 responded.
12-28-21 Overlook Apt aggravated arson arrest
A Chattanooga man is accused of setting fires in his apartment that endangered the lives of everyone in a downtown high-rise building. Lonnie Kaufmann, 57, has been charged with aggravated arson in connection with a fire at The Overlook Apartments on Boynton Drive that occurred on Sunday, December 26, 2021. According to CFD investigators, there were two separate fires in Kaufmann’s apartment that were intentionally set by the suspect. Kaufmann suffered minor smoke inhalation and was transported to the hospital. He was treated and released and taken to the Silverdale Detention Center. His aggravated arson charge stems from the fact that the fires were set in an occupied structure and put other residents’ safety at risk. On 12/26/21 at 12:44 PM, Blue Shift companies were dispatched to 1201 Boynton Drive to the Overlook Apartments for a commercial fire alarm. Crews arrived at the high-rise residential structure and learned that the smoke alarm activation was coming from a unit on the second floor. CFD personnel proceeded up the stairwell and upon accessing the second floor, they found light smoke visible in the hallway. Firefighters found heavy smoke and low visibility in Kaufmann's apartment and located flames in the kitchen/dining area. They attacked the fire, knocking it down fast. It was out by 1:07 PM. Ventilation was performed until all smoke was cleared from the structure. Air monitoring was conducted to ensure that it was safe for occupants to return to their apartments. As this was going on, other firefighters conducted evacuation/shelter-in-place efforts, evacuating occupants on floors two and three and sheltering non-ambulatory residents in place. They also checked on residents on floors 3 through 8. High-rise fire responses are very labor intensive and firefighters and investigators did an excellent job covering all bases. Fortunately, there were no other injuries in this incident.
12-28-21 Rustic Village Apt fire contained to one unit
Chattanooga firefighters had a fire out within minutes of arriving on the scene of an apartment complex on Central Drive. At 1:27 PM Tuesday, Blue Shift companies responded to the Rustic Village Apartments (510 Central Drive) following reports of black smoke coming out of one of the apartment buildings. Hamilton County EMS personnel arriving on the scene confirmed that smoke was coming from the second floor. Firefighters found flames in one of the apartments and quickly extinguished the fire. It was out by 1:39 PM. There were no injuries. The fire was contained to one apartment. The cause is under investigation. Squad 13, Ladder 13, Quint 8, Engine 15, Quint 21, Quint 6, Ladder 7, Battalion 1, Battalion 2 (Blue), CFD’s Operations Chief and CFD’s Investigation Division responded. Thanks to the HCEMS Medic 11 crew for taking quick action at the complex. They were already on scene when CFD arrived and knocked on doors to get residents out of the building.
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