About Us
The Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) is a career department that responds to over 19,000 emergencies annually. The department serves the citizens, properties, and visitors of the city of Chattanooga, which has the fourth largest population in the state of Tennessee at 177,571 (U.S. Census Bureau estimate, 2016). The department protects an immense and growing 144 square miles in Hamilton County, and has additional technical rescue duties. Every citizen, visitor, and every square foot provide the basis for the department's existence and mission.
What We Do
Emergency Response
- Life Safety - As stated in our mission, the CFD is ultimately in existence to provide life-saving actions in real emergencies. Your life and the lives of your loved ones are our #1 priority! It's a mission the department performs through professional service.
- Property Conservation - While Life Safety is always first and foremost, protecting property is also part of the department's mission. To the extent possible, firefighters make every effort to protect your structure and belongings. They value what you value!
- Incident Mitigation - When the big, red fire truck rolls up, the situation is expected to get better. It is our goal for that to happen from fender-bender clean-ups to three-alarm apartment fires. Firefighters are trained to bring incidents to a close. Obviously, closure depends on many factors outside of a firefighter's control, but we pledge to mitigate incidents in a thorough manner, as quickly and as safely as possible.
Fire Prevention
- Fire Code Enforcement - The best fire is one that never occurs! Or, if it does occur, one that minimally impacts life and property. That's what enforcing the fire code is all about, and it's our Fire Prevention Bureau's main job.
- Public Education - Another facet of preventing avoidable fires, injuries, and even deaths, is to educate citizens and business/property owners on how to react in the event of a fire. The CFD provides outstanding public education to that end.
Our History
The Chattanooga Fire Department has a long and rich history dating back to the Civil War. Past members of this department produced a book entitled "The History of the Chattanooga Fire Department," which includes very interesting text and authentic photos related to this department that covers a time span from 1871 to the mid-1970s.
Fire Department Divisions
Responsibilities
By budgeting for outcomes in five key areas, our department has served an important role in Chattanooga becoming America's best mid-sized city.
Safer Streets: The department has 26 companies ready to respond to incidents involving fire, hazardous materials, confined space, high angle rescue, building collapse, medical emergencies, and mass casualty incidents.
Stronger Neighborhoods: Our department has 20 stations rooted in our communities, involved in day to day activities outside of emergency response, and being positive influences on neighborhood children and adults.
Smarter Students: Fire prevention and community fire stations team up to bring fire safety and educational programs to all ages and demographics in our city.
- Growing Economy: The CFD is a ISO Class 1 department that provides fire protection for large company investments and the city's workforce, as well as all residential communities within Chattanooga.
- High-Performing Government: The CFD serves alongside a Mayor and City Council who are progressive in funding public safety while prioritizing budget expenditures throughout the city.