News Releases

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. 

Chattanooga Fire and other agencies worked a tragic call on the Tennessee River Saturday night. At 7:42 PM on 5/18/24, CFD units were dispatched to 4063 Amnicola Highway for an Emergency on the Water following reports that two adult males fell in the water and were not seen coming out. First responders went to the boat ramp at the Tennessee Riverpark during the response which later shifted from a rescue to recovery operation. One deceased drowning victim was located and crews continued searching for the other missing party. By 10PM, the other victim had been recovered and all divers were out of the water. Chattanooga firefighters, including Fireboat 10, were on the call, along with Dallas Bay Fire & Rescue’s Dive Team, CPD, Hamilton County EMS, and Hamilton County STARS. The CFD offers sincere condolences to the families of the victims. They were not wearing life vests. They were standing on a floating dock and family members told first responders that one of the men fell into the river and the other victim jumped into the water in an effort to save him. The Chattanooga Fire Department urges people of all ages to wear Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) anytime they’re near water. Summer is upon us and we don’t want to see anyone else lose their life.

In recent weeks, several people have fallen off docks in Chattanooga and drowned in the Tennessee River. Two men lost their lives over the weekend and another 21-year-old man died last month. Water safety should be top of mind as we head into the summer months. It only takes a second for conditions in and on the water to change, and even the savviest swimmers can find themselves in an unsafe situation if they aren’t careful. Help improve the safety of your friends and family when in, on or around the water. Here are guidelines for children, teens AND adults from the Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security:
• Wear a life jacket at all times! The Tennessee Law states that every person must have a life jacket on board a boat.
• Wear a life jacket if you are at least 2 feet from a body of water.
• Do not boat under the influence of alcohol. It affects your judgement, vision, balance and coordination. Factor in boat motion, sun, wind, can accelerate a drinker’s impairment.
• Inspect your boat/water recreation vehicle before you take on the water. Make sure everything is working properly.
• Never swim alone! Be sure to use the “buddy system”.
• When swimming in lakes, you should refrain from area that are marked with signs of DANGER OF DROP OFFs or STRONG CURRENTS.
• Never dive first into unknown water. Even if you are familiar with a like or river, conditions under water can change.
• Don’t rely on floatation devices or water rings to keep children safe. An adult should be swimming with them until they are strong enough to swim without an adult.
• Always make sure someone knows where you are and what time you plan to return.