News Releases
12-28-20 New predictive data model streamlines fire inspection process
A new platform has streamlined fire inspections for commercial properties in the City of Chattanooga.
Factors from at least three different databases have been combined for the Chattalytics Fire Inspection Model which predicts and assigns a fire risk score to commercial buildings so that inspectors can prioritize them for inspection.
The fire risk scores are taken from the innovative Chattalytics Model that was created in partnership between the Chattanooga Fire Department and Office of Performance Management and Open Data (OPMOD).
Members of the OPMOD team built the predictive model from scratch and designed the model results prioritization dataset the inspectors will be using.
“Scores are assigned to each property and the database can be actually numbered in order, specific property by specific property, versus lumped into a more general categories of prioritizations,” explained Senior Firefighter Shawn Hays, a fire inspector in the Fire Marshal’s Office.
The data showed that 126 commercial properties in the city had the highest tier fire risk score. Although the buildings that received lower scores also have risk factors, the highest score group needs more urgent attention for code enforcement inspections.
Immediately filtering the list of 126 properties to discern which have been inspected within the last 24 months, the number decreases to 56, meaning that 70 of these properties (56%) have already had recent code inspections.
The new platform has combined the Fire Prevention Bureau’s designation of target properties of which properties are most likely to have the highest risk scores, however, the new model justifies CFD’s predictions with analytics.
The predictive scoring from the added criteria in this new public database provides a high correlation to the existing policies for the prioritization of properties to be inspected.
“It’s reassuring to be made aware that from an objective source outside of our efforts, we are proactively already inspecting more than half of this predictive list,” Hays said.
A way CFD prioritizes needed inspections of “target hazard” properties consists of variables that include: the potential number of people in a building, if there are people sleeping in a building, whether potential assisted evacuation would be needed if there are instances of self-preservation being impaired, whether there are fire protection systems installed, and other potential risks like the storage of combustible and hazardous materials.
For Hays, a new insight that these analytics provided in his inspection district, is that he was not aware of which particular commercial properties are the oldest or which have had the most automatic fire alarm dispatches which was a criteria that is usually difficult to be made aware of with all of the required inspections for new construction, renovations, State licensing, City permits, and reported safety violations from the public.
“With the City OPMOD team’s creation of this model, the overlap of the actual data-driven type of decision-making and the existing policies of the Fire Marshal’s Office prove a high correlation in identifying and ranking which properties to inspect, unifying both time-tested approaches, complementing both of our departments as progressive, forward-thinking and proactive toward better protecting Chattanooga,” Hays added.
12-26-20 Christmas crews on scene of commercial fire for hours
Firefighters working a 24-hour shift on Christmas had a busy night battling a large commercial fire in downtown Chattanooga.
The call came out at 1:46 AM on Saturday (December 26) after witnesses at a nearby gas station reported that they could see flames coming from the old US Pipe & Foundry building at 2501 Chestnut Street.
Quint 1 was first to arrive and confirmed that it was a heavily involved structure fire. A defensive firefighting operation was launched to attack it from all sides.
Precautions were taken because of a large diesel tank and several propane tanks on the site. There were also large tree-trimming trucks and other equipment inside the building.
Ladder 1, Quint 1, Engine 12, Quint 17, Engine 5, Ladder 5, Squad 1, Battalion 1, Battalion 3 (Green Shift), CFD Supply, HCEMS, CPD and EPB responded. Chattanooga-Hamilton County’s Support Services Unit provided emergency incident rehabilitation for firefighters.
There were no injuries. The scope of the operation was vast in an effort to stop the spread of the flames.
By 5:15 AM, the fire was out and crews were doing overhaul. They spent more than four hours on the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Mutual Aid assisted with coverage at several of our fire halls as crews fought the fire. We appreciate the support from our neighboring fire departments.
12-23-20 No injuries in Lookout Valley trailer blaze
Chattanooga firefighters quickly tackled a mobile home fire this afternoon.
It happened at 3:17 PM in the 2600 block of Old Wauhatchie Pike. Crews found a working trailer fire upon arrival and made an attack on it.
Other companies arrived on the scene to assist and it was knocked out within ten minutes.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. No one was home at the time. There were no injuries.
There was extensive damage to the front porch and some around the front door. There was smoke damage on the interior.
Ladder 1, Quint 14 , Quint 1, Quint 3, Squad 20, Battalion 1, Battalion 3 (Red), HCEMS, EPB and CPD responded.
12-23-20 Firefighters start to receive COVID vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines have made their way to our firefighters! Mayor Andy Berke joined CPD Chief David Roddy and CFD Chief Phil Hyman as first responders starting getting their shots on Wednesday.
“It is critical for Chattanooga’s first responders to have immunity from the coronavirus and other diseases so that we are able respond appropriately to all routine emergencies and keep our residents safe,” Chief Hyman said.
Right now, the vaccine is being administered to first responders who have volunteered to receive it. For more information, go to cha.city/vaccine.
12-19-20 Resident, pet safe following New York Ave. house fire
A Chattanooga man and his dog are safe after escaping their burning home.
At 4:20 PM Saturday, members of the Chattanooga Fire Department responded to a residential fire in the 3100 block of New York Avenue and found flames coming through the roof and the roof vent.
The initial attack was exterior m, but when crews spoke to the resident, who was outside, he indicated that his pet was still inside.
When it was safe, firefighters went to make an interior attack and the resident’s dog immediately ran out the front door uninjured.
Crews had a quick knockdown on the fire and placed tarps over the resident’s belongings to protect them from further fire, water and smoke damage.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. There were no injuries.
Engine 4, Quint 10, Quint 6, Ladder 7, Squad 13, Squad 7, Battalion 2, Battalion 3 (Red), HCEMS, CPD and EPB responded.
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