News Releases

One man was left with severe injuries Thursday morning following an incident at a liquid nitriding facility in Chattanooga. At 9AM on 5/30/24, Blue Shift companies were called to TS USA (1031 Windtower Drive) off Riverfront Parkway for a commercial fire. There were reports that one of the workers was burned and his fellow employees were trying to help him. The fire was extinguished by workers with fire extinguishers. Firefighters arrived on the scene and immediately began patient care. Others went inside to make sure the fire was out. The company has a state-of-the-art salt bath nitriding line. Large cylinders contain a hot solution that reacts with water. It appears there was a chemical reaction, causing an explosion. Hamilton County EMS transported one patient with extensive burns. Three other workers were treated on the scene with minor burns and one firefighter sustained a minor ankle injury. Since a hazardous chemical is involved, the building has been evacuated, but there is no danger or threat to the surrounding area. CFD Squad 1, Ladder 1, Hazmat 1, Battalion 1, Battalion 3, Special Operations, and members of the command staff are on the scene, along with Hamilton County EMS, CPD, Tennessee OSHA, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Rescue’s rehab truck, and the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau.

What a great reunion with a CPR survivor! Amy Young got to personally thank the first responders who saved her life and show them how far she’s come in her recovery after a major health scare. Back in February, Amy was walking on the TN Riverwalk when she collapsed and went into sudden cardiac arrest. Firefighter Kace Allen (Engine 12 Green Shift) was off-duty at the time and spotted Amy on the ground. He rushed to help, immediately starting CPR while other bystanders called 911. Engine 10 Blue Shift responded to the scene and continued CPR. Firefighters found that Amy had no pulse and used an AED to shock her heart. HCEMS arrived and paramedics administered more life-saving treatment. Amy is now doing great and she got to catch up with everyone on the medical call at EMS’ headquarters on Tuesday. “I get to celebrate my birthday in June thanks to everyone here,” she said. For many of the CFD and EMS personnel in these photos, it was the first time in their careers that they were able to meet with someone whose life they saved after-the-fact, making it a very meaningful experience for everyone.

Chattanooga Fire assisted Highway 58 with a house fire early Saturday morning. At 4:18 AM on 5/25/24, Ladder 7 and Battalion 2 Green Shift responded to the 6000 block of Porter Drive. Upon arriving on scene, Hwy 58 firefighters had the fire knocked down. An adult female, her husband, and a child were all inside the home at time of the fire, but the adult male was able to get them out of the home prior to responders arriving on scene. Ladder 7 arrived on scene and they were tasked with primary search and upon completion of the search no one else was located inside the home. Ladder 7 was then relocated to the C/D corner of the home to conduct some minor overhaul operations. After a brief overhaul, Ladder 7 then was sent to rehab and later released from the scene

CFD also assisted with firefighting operations on the scene of a large fire in the Harrison area on Labor Day. At 7:20 am on 5/27/214, Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department responded to 6641 Pythian Road. Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office deputies were the first units on the scene reporting The Knights of Pythias Clubhouse was on fire and no one is inside the home. Minutes later, the first fire engine arrived on the scene reporting heavy smoke and fire on a two-story structure. Highway 58 VFD requested a mutual aid response for additional manpower. Chattanooga Fire Department, Dallas Bay VFD and Tri-Community VFD responded to the fire scene. No injuries were reported but HCEMS Medic 17 stood by for any potential injuries to the first responders. The structure is a total loss and damages are unknown at this time. The cause of the fire will be under investigation by the Hamilton County Sheriff Office.

A lightning strike is believed to be the cause of an apartment fire in Chattanooga, damaging multiple units on Friday afternoon. At 3PM on 5/24/24, Green Shift companies were called to the Elements of Chattanooga Apartments (7310 Standifer Gap Road) after a reporting party called 911 saying they heard a loud boom and saw smoke coming from Building 6. First responding crews spotted smoke and fire in the first floor breezeway and immediately went to work, cutting into walls to attack the flames and stop it from spreading. Firefighters made a quick knockdown and then checked for extension into surrounding apartments. They also removed smoke from the building. Several apartments sustained damage from fire and smoke. There were no injuries. Management from the apartment complex is working to assist impacted residents. Engine 8, Ladder 7, Squad 7, Engine 6, Engine 15, Engine 21, Squad 13, Battalion 1 and Battalion 2 were on the call.