News Releases

The Chattanooga Fire Department continues to provide exemplary service and has proudly retained the top fire protection rating. After a thorough review of our operations, the CFD has maintained a Class 1 Public Protection Classification. Our department was originally upgraded from a Class 2 to a Class 1 Public Protection Classification in 2018 and ISO reviews are conducted about every five years to ensure the highest level of performance.

The Class 1 rating is the highest rating given by the Insurance Services Office (ISO), which rates the ability of fire departments across the country to respond to and suppress structure fires. The ISO 1 classification means lower insurance premiums will be maintained for local homeowners and commercial property owners. Although there are too many variables to determine what exactly those cost savings look like, we have set our citizens up to get the lowest possible rates thanks to the hard work of the men and women of the CFD.

The ISO uses four main criteria in determining a fire department’s classification:
1. Emergency Communications –(the 911 system)
2. Fire Department – (including equipment, staffing, training, geographic distribution of fire companies)
3. Water Supply – (including the number and location of hydrants, as well as the inspection and flow testing of hydrants.
4. Community Risk Reduction – (including code inspections, fire investigations and public education activities)

Less than 500 fire departments in the country, out of almost 30,000 in the U.S., have a Class 1 rating, placing the Chattanooga Fire Department in the top one percent of all departments nationwide.

“Protection of our public is our number one priority and this is another way that we can provide excellent service to our citizens by lowering overall costs of homeowners insurance, as well as our commercial businesses, with regard to fire protection,” said Chattanooga Fire Chief Phil Hyman.

ISO is an independent company that serves insurance companies, communities, fire departments, insurance regulators, and others by providing information about risk. ISO’s staff collects information about municipal fire suppression efforts in communities throughout the United States. In each of these communities, ISO analyzes the relevant data and assigns a Public Protection Classification grade – a number from 1 to 10. Class 1 represents an exemplary fire suppression program, and Class 10 indicates that the area’s fire suppression program does not meet ISO’s minimum criteria.

"One of the best things about living in the City of Chattanooga is knowing that if tragedy strikes and your home or business catches fire, one of the finest fire departments in the entire country will be there to fight the flames and keep you safe," said Mayor Tim Kelly. "Anybody that's interacted with the Chattanooga Fire Department knows they are the best of the best. Fewer than 1% of fire departments nationwide receive this ISO 1 rating, so it is a remarkable accomplishment. All of Chattanooga should join me in congratulating and thanking Fire Chief Phil Hyman and the brave men and women of CFD."

A kitchen fire caused significant damage to a well-known local restaurant Monday night. At 5:50 PM on 7/15/24, Chattanooga Fire companies were dispatched to Rob’s Restaurant & Lounge on Dayton Boulevard. The staff at Rob’s was getting ready to open and started turning things on in the kitchen, including the fryers, to begin cooking. They went about their duties to prepare for an evening of work and when they returned to the kitchen, flames were rolling out. Workers tried to use a fire extinguisher, but the blaze had grown too large. The fire spread to the second floor of the structure and went through the roof. CFD Green Shift Companies, Dallas Bay VFD, & Red Bank FD responded to the scene to battle the two-alarm blaze. Once firefighters had the main body of fire knocked down, they focused on areas that were still smoldering in the walls. The kitchen at Rob’s was destroyed and there’s extensive damage to the back of the building from the grease fire that got out of control. There were no injuries. Thanks to our mutual aid partners for filling in at our fire halls while crews were on this call.

A woman was left with burns late Friday night after an apparent mishap while smoking in bed while on oxygen. At 11 PM on 7/12/24, CFD Blue Shift companies responded to an automatic alarm at 500 W Martin Luther Blvd (Jaycee Towers) and saw smoke coming from a resident’s apartment. Firefighters found the victim on the floor and fire on her bed. They rescued the woman and she was transported to the hospital by Hamilton County EMS with burns on her stomach and leg. The fire was extinguished with water cans. Engine 1, Squad 1, Ladder 1, Engine 17, Engine 12, Ladder 5, Battalion 1, and CFD Investigations responded.

The CFD once again urges the public to never smoke in bed, especially while on oxygen because of the dangers. Mattresses and bedding can catch on fire easily, causing injuries and damage. There is *no* safe way to smoke around home oxygen. Medical oxygen can explode if a flame or spark is near. Even if the oxygen is turned off, it can still catch on fire. When oxygen is used in the home, the amount of oxygen in the air, furniture, clothing, and hair goes up, making it easier for a fire to start and spread.

Senior Firefighter Patrick Mansfield and Firefighter Cameron McCullough (Quint 14 Blue Shift) received the Medal of Heroism for their actions on a recent fire scene that resulted in two lives being saved. Firefighter Javier Ortiz (Engine 9 Blue Shift) received a life-saving medal for assisting in the rescue operation. On 6/24/24, FFS Mansfield and FF McCullough entered a burning Alton Park home on Fagan Street and rescued two victims. Later they were joined by FF Ortiz. FFS Mansfield dragged the first victim through the house to the kitchen door and then went back in to find the second victim with FF McCullough. Together, they worked to extract the second victim. She was entangled and had to be freed in near zero visibility. They began to move the victim and were joined by FF Ortiz in the hallway. They got the patients outside where other firefighters provided assistance. They did this without a handline due to the urgency of the victims’ situation. The front room was fully engulfed after entry was made due to the rush of air, but the firefighters were focused on the rescue. Both victims were transported to the hospital with serious injuries related to smoke inhalation. It appeared that they were trying to escape the fire, but were overwhelmed by smoke and became trapped in the back of the residence. They were transferred to Vanderbilt Medical Center for further treatment. Both victims survived and are recovering from their injuries. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

“You all do so much for the community, including these two successful saves. In this case, there were seconds for survival and you made split second decisions that made all the difference,” Fire Chief Phil Hyman told the firefighters.

Firefighter Ortiz is pictured with Chief Hyman. Firefighter Cameron McCullough (left) and Senior Firefighter Patrick Mansfield (right).