News Releases

The Chattanooga Fire Department was part of a multi-agency response to the Silvertree Seniors of Chattanooga Apartment Homes Tuesday morning, once again showing how area fire departments work together efficiently on big scenes. The high rise fire call came out just after 7 AM as Green Shift was beginning their 24 hours on duty. It was reported that there was fire in the building. Second alarms were called by Tri-State Mutual Aid as well as the CFD to bring more staffing to the scene. Ladder 7, Squad 7, Quint 6, Battalion 2, Quint 16, Engine 4, Quint 8, Squad 13, Ladder 19, Squad 19, CFD’s Operations Chief and CFD’s Safety Chief responded. An air handling unit on the roof had shorted out/ malfunctioned, forcing smoke through every floor of the building. The majority of the structure was evacuated as a precaution. Once it was determined what the cause of the smoke was, other residents were asked to shelter in place and crews continued checking on them as firefighters ventilated the building to remove the smoke. Thanks to the maintenance technicians and management of the facility for their assistance.

The Chattanooga Fire Department worked a residential fire in the 5000 block of Mimosa Circle Tuesday night. Fire in the garage. All parties were out upon arrival. The fire was contained to the garage by responding Green Shift crews. It was electrical in nature. Three adults and two children were displaced.

Chattanooga firefighters dealt with a tough vehicle extrication Tuesday afternoon and after 25 minutes, they were able to successfully rescue a trapped patient from the wreckage. It happened at 12:13 PM on Highway 153 at the Bonny Oaks Drive exit when several vehicles (including an 18-wheeler, pickup truck and lawn care box truck) became involved in a collision. The box truck left the roadway, struck a power pole and flipped over. One patient was out of the truck when firefighters arrived and another was trapped inside. Squad 13, Squad 7, Quint 6 and Battalion 2 (Green Shift) responded. During the heavy extrication, firefighters stabilized the truck and worked to remove the patient from the overturned vehicle. Both patients were injured and transported to the hospital. It was a complex operation and CFD’s crews did a great job as they acted fast to help someone in need.

First responders from across the region united to honor the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks during a special event in Downtown Chattanooga. The commemoration was held on September 11, 2021 at Ross’s Landing on Riverfront Parkway. There will be a ceremony was followed by a large group photo. All Hamilton County public safety agencies were invited to take part in the event. Local leaders and members of the military were also be in attendance. The event marked the passage of two decades since the day that changed our country forever. That day left a profound impact on the fire service, when 343 FDNY firefighters were killed in the line of duty.

“We want to pay tribute to all of the first responders who helped in the immediate aftermath, as well as the rescue/recovery operations in the days, weeks and months that followed the attack. We want to keep their memory alive,” said Chattanooga Fire Department’s Operations Chief Rick Boatwright. “We are also honoring all first responders for their dedication and service- those in Hamilton County, throughout Tennessee and across the country.”

The event was hosted by the Chattanooga Fire Department and the City of Chattanooga. First responders gathered in a show of solidarity and respect for those who made the ultimate sacrifice as they rushed to the scene to help others in the wake of the attack.

“Their efforts to aid others inspired other first responders around the world to serve their communi-ties and their legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of everyone who answers emergency calls,” stated Chattanooga Fire Chief Phil Hyman.