News Releases

The CFD extricated the driver of a tractor trailer following a crash on Interstate 24 EB on Tuesday afternoon- an exhausting operation that took nearly 90 minutes. The semi carrying chickens reportedly struck the guardrail and flipped in the median at 1:06 PM, trapping the driver in the cab and sending chickens all over the road. Other drivers not only called 911 to report the accident, but several also stopped and tried to free the driver from the wreckage at mile marker 172 (west of Cummings Highway). Squad 20, Squad 13, Quint 3, Battalion 1 (Green Shift) and CFD Special Operations responded, along with CPD, TDOT and HCEMS. Most of the chickens were deceased in the median. Some were alive. A crew from the poultry processing company went to the scene to retrieve the live chickens and assist in cleaning up the roadway. The truck driver was injured (extent unknown). A large wrecker headed to the site of the crash to help further stabilize the semi while firefighters got the patient out. The extrication took almost an hour and a half. The patient was then transported to the hospital. Squad 7 and Squad 1 also responded to provide relief. Thanks to East Ridge and Tri-Comm for covering at our fire halls and to Guy Yates for bringing a wrecker to aid in the response.

chicken truck extrication

On Saturday at Enterprise Park South, a party fell off a horse and needed the help of first responders. Ladder 7, Battalion 2, and Squad 7 (Blue Shift) personnel responded with a Gator UTV. Brush Truck 10 brought their Gator for additional equipment. Hamilton County EMS and a park ranger were also part of the operation. The patient was located approximately a mile and a half down the path. She was alert and conscious with a head injury. The patient was loaded onto the Gator and a backboard. She was brought out first and loaded into the ambulance to be transported to the hospital. First responders then exited the park with two horses, one of which was rode by Firefighter Dolberry.

equestrian rescue

The Chattanooga Fire Department responded to a duplex fire in the 4700 block of Murray Lake Lane off Highway 58 Wednesday night. Quint 6, Squad 7, Ladder 7, Engine 4, Quint 8, Squad 19, Battalion 2 and Battalion 3 (Red Shift) responded at 5:13 PM. Fire companies arrived on scene and saw fire and smoke coming from the structure. The Incident Commander, Lieutenant Julius Hubbard, had crews initiate an interior fire attack and primary search. Occupants from the B side apartment had already exited the structure when firefighters arrived on scene. Crews had the fire out within 15 minutes. The occupants of Apartment A were not home at the time of the fire. There were no injuries and the cause is under investigation. Squad 7 personnel saved one dog during firefighting operations.

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Firefighters have collected critical funds in the community since 1954 – one dollar at a time – as part of the Fill the Boot program for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). The Chattanooga Fire Department and the Chattanooga Fire Fighters Association Local 820 will be continuing this long-standing tradition as its firefighters kick off the annual program raising funds to support MDA’s vision to accelerate research, advance care, and advocate for the support of MDA families.

Dedicated firefighters will have boots in hand asking pedestrians, motorists, customers and other passersby to make a donation to MDA on May 26th, 27th, & 28th from 10am to 2pm each day at the following locations:

Quint 1 – Market St & Main St

Ladder 1 – Main St. & Central

Squad 1 – Broad St. & Aquarium Way

Quint 3 – Entrance of Walmart & Cummings Rd

Engine 4 – Dodson Ave & Wilcox Blvd

Engine 5 – Main St & Willow St

Ladder 5 – Bailey Ave & Willow St

Quint 6 – Bonny Oaks Drive & Hwy 58

Quint 7 – Lee Hwy & Relocation Way (Food City)

Squad 7 – Jenkins Rd (intersection by Tiger Mart)

Quint 8 – Shallowford Rd & Hamilton Place Blvd

Engine 9 – Rossville Blvd & Dodds Ave

Quint 10 – Wilder St & Dodson Ave

Engine 12 – Frazier Ave & Forrest Ave

Quint 13 – Greenway View Dr & Brainerd Rd

Squad 13 – Igou Gap Rd & Gunbarrel Rd

Quint 14 – St. Elmo Ave & 38^th St

Engine 15 – Moore Rd & Shallowford Rd

Quint 16 – Lupton Dr & Hixson Pike

Quint 17 – Mountain Creek Rd & Signal Mtn Blvd

Quint 19 – North Point Rd & Hixson Pike

Squad 19 – North Point Rd & Hixson Pike

Squad 20 – Brown Ferry Rd & Cummings Rd

Quint 21 – Gunbarrel & East Brainerd Rd (Halloween Express parking lot)

Engine 22 – Walmart Entrance and Exit behind Chik-Fil-A on Hwy 153

No streets and/or intersections will be closed during the event.

Individuals and local businesses can also support the firefighters by donating online at:

https://filltheboot.donordrive.com/team/Chattanooga820

"Firefighters in Chattanooga, TN and around the country display an unwavering support for MDA year after year, raising critical funds and awareness to help our families get the care they need," says Holly Carroll, Director of Firefighter Partnerships for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. “We are so thankful for their continued commitment to help us empower the people we serve to live longer, more independent lives and for their willingness to protect everyone on the frontlines in our community.”

Fill the Boot 1

Chattanooga firefighters worked a motor vehicle crash with entrapment Saturday night on Interstate 75. Blue Shift crews responded at 6:15 PM and got to work on the extrication. Photos from Captain Chris Blazek show how skilled members of the CFD freed the patient from the car. Quint 21, Squad 13, Squad 1, Battalion 2, CPD, HCEMS and TDOT responded. The patient was alert and conscious the whole time. He was taken to the hospital for treatment of his injuries.

extrication on 75