News Releases

Battalion Chief David Thompson Jr. is retiring after 26 years with the Chattanooga Fire Department! He has responded to thousands of calls and incidents, assisting so many citizens on their most challenging days. His compassion, dedication and leadership have certainly left a mark on our department. David was hired in 1996, but he’s been around the CFD his entire life since his father was a long-serving captain. David’s twin brothers, Robert and Jack, are also firefighters. He served eight years in the US Army Reserves as a combat medic and flight medic and then joined the CFD, working his way through the ranks. He’s been the battalion chief for District 2 Green Shift for the past five years, overseeing response in an area that spans north of Missionary Ridge to Ooltewah and managing crews from six different fire halls. On top of being in command of many large-scales incidents and fires, he’s also responded to tornadoes, wild fires and regional rescue operations. He’s someone who is always willing to help and a steadfast leader in the midst of very challenging, chaotic situations. David has three life-saving awards and a Medal of Merit. He served on the training committee for five years, the Honor Guard for 17 years (14 of those years as commander), the accident review/safety committee 16 years and he was hall coordinator for 12 years at Station 1. He’s also been the CFD Historian for three years and oversaw the creation of the department’s most comprehensive history book in honor of our 150th anniversary. He teaches the history of the CFD to the fire academy to make sure everyone know the department’s storied past. This father of four and grandfather of three is looking forward to spending more time with his family upon his retirement. He’s also going to be an instructor at TVA’s Emergency Response Training Center, teaching TVA employees in the areas of fire, rescue, EMS, hazmat and incident command. Thank you for your service and for all that you’ve done for the CFD over the years, BC Thompson!

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The CFD responded to 1201 Suck Creek Road (Buzzi Chattanooga, a cement manufacturer) at 5:48 PM on Thursday. Firefighters found hydraulic fluid on fire in some of the machinery. They extinguished the fire and they’re waiting for the equipment to cool down. No injuries.

Buzzi plant fire response

It’s been a busy day for the Chattanooga Fire Department. After working a residential structure fire in East Brainerd Thursday morning and responding to a multitude of other emergency and non-emergency calls, firefighters then rushed to Hamilton Place Mall for a restaurant fire. At 12:08 PM, Blue Shift companies responded to the Red Robin on Hamilton Place Boulevard after 911 received multiple reports of smoke coming from the business. On arrival, CFD units spotted smoke and flames on the roof. Employees were trying to put the fire out with extinguishers. Firefighters took over and found flames in the vent system in the kitchen. The business was not open at the time, but crews were inside doing repairs from the April 22, 2022 fire at Red Robin so that the restaurant could reopen. CFD personnel got the fire under control in approximately 10 minutes. They checked for extension to make sure the flames were completely extinguished and had not spread to any other areas. A combination of welding work and grease accumulation is believed to have caused the fire. There were no injuries. Squad 7, Ladder 7, Quint 21, Quint 10, Quint 8, Engine 15, Squad 13, Ladder 13, Battalion 2, Battalion 3, CPD, HCEMS responded, along with members of CFD’s command staff and Fire Prevention Bureau.

Red Robin fire

Chattanooga firefighters tackled a house fire in East Brainerd Thursday morning, recovering some very important possessions for the impacted resident. Blue Shift companies responded to a home in the 100 block of Melrose Drive off East Brainerd Road just after 8 AM. A family member had stopped by the house, spotted smoke coming from the structure, and called 911. Crews began simultaneously attacking the fire and searching the residence while a water supply was also established. Their hard work led to a very quick extinguishment of the fire. There were no injuries and no one was home at the time. During salvage and overhaul, firefighters were able to recover the ashes of the resident’s family members so she could have possession of these cherished items. Members of the CFD do this for every family impacted by fire, removing what they can from damaged areas so that some things can be saved. The cause of the fire is under investigation. There’s extensive damage to the interior of the residence. Ladder 13, Squad 13, Quint 8, Ladder 7, Quint 6, Squad 7, Battalion 2, Battalion 3, HCEMS, CPD and EPB responded.

Melrose Drive fire

The Chattanooga Fire Department responded to an apartment fire Wednesday morning on Missionary Ridge. Blue Shift companies were called to 3047 Westside Drive at 6:07 AM. Firefighters arrived on scene and found that one of the single units on the bottom floor at the rear of the building had a fully involved kitchen fire. They were able to get the fire quickly under control and confined to the room of origin. The resident got out safely. The fire appears to be accidental in nature. There was heavy damage to the apartment of origin and smoke/water damage to a total of five units. Engine 9, Engine 5, Ladder 5, Ladder 1, Quint 1, Squad 1, Quint 14, Squad 13, Battalion 1 and Battalion 3 responded. Our mutual aid partners helped provide coverage at our fire halls while the CFD worked this incident.

westside drive