News Releases

Chattanooga firefighters rescued a car crash victim trapped after a wreck on North Access Road Saturday. At 12:37 PM on 5/20/23, Red Shift companies responded to the 4600 block on a motor vehicle crash with entrapment and found one person pinned inside. Ladder 19, Squad 19, and Squad 7 personnel successfully extricated the patient and they were transported by HCEMS to the hospital. A toddler was also taken to the hospital from the scene. The extent of the victims’ injuries is unknown.

Boy Scout Road in Hixson was temporarily shut down from Echo Glen Drive to Sandswitch Road on Wednesday due to a reported powder on the railroad tracks. CFD hazmat teams responded to determine the product. Norfolk Southern was advised and halted railroad traffic while emergency crews were working. A passerby came across the tracks at 11:30 AM Wednesday, spotted the substance and called 911. The substance was confirmed to be non-hazardous powder. Chattanooga firefighters thoroughly sprayed the railroad crossings, roadway and tracks with water to remove it. Boy Scout Road then reopened for traffic and rail traffic resumed. It’s believed the powder came from a passing rail car.

Five people were rescued from the balcony of their burning apartment by Chattanooga firefighters late Sunday night after being trapped by flames. On 5/14/23 at 10:25 PM, Blue Shift companies responded to the Elements of Chattanooga Apartments at 7310 Standifer Gap Road and found a working apartment fire in a second-floor unit in Building 16 at the complex. Firefighters received reports that people were possibly trapped inside so they quickly identified where the fire was and made entry. Flames prevented them from getting to the endangered residents so other crews went around to the balcony where three children and two adults were waiting for help. They were forced out onto the balcony by fire in the middle of their apartment. Firefighters assisted all five people down a ladder to safety and got the fire extinguished quickly after that. There were no injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The apartment of origin sustained damage and the impacted residents are receiving assistance from the apartment complex. No other units were damaged and no other residents were displaced. Quint 8, Quint 6, Quint 21, Squad 13, Ladder 13, Ladder 7, Squad 7, Ladder 19, Squad 19, Engine 15, Battalion 2 and Battalion 1 responded, along with HCEMS, EPB and CPD. 

Firefighters came to the aid of a rock climber in trouble on the west side of Lookout Mountain. Chattanooga Fire and Lookout Mountain Fire personnel responded to Sunset Rock on Sunday morning (5/14/23). The 24-year-old climber got stuck on the side of the cliff and was hanging by a rope. First responders located him from the top and conducted a high angle rescue. He was descending the rock face and didn’t bring enough rope. He was not injured. CFD Squad 1, Squad 20, Quint 14, USAR 1 and Battalion 1 Blue Shift responded. The Chattanooga Fire Department and other area agencies train regularly throughout the year on rope rescues so that we are prepared to respond to these incidents.