As 2025 comes to a close, the Chattanooga Fire Department is marking a year defined by operational growth, expanded training and response capabilities and a significant leadership transition while positioning the department for continued progress in 2026.
Over the course of the year, the department responded to more than 22,000 calls for service. Those included 1,016 fires, more than 10,018 rescue and emergency medical service calls – accounting for roughly 46% of total call volume – and 1,102 motor vehicle crashes involving injuries. Firefighters also responded to more than 1,578 “assist a citizen” calls.
The call volume reflected a slight decrease compared to 2024, when the department handled more than 23,000 calls, including 1,176 fires, approximately 7,800 EMS calls and 1,861 motor vehicle crashes. “Assist a citizen” calls in 2024 totaled more than 1,560.
One of the most impactful developments of the year was a change in leadership. Terry Knowles was named fire chief following the retirement of Chief Phil Hyman. Knowles now oversees more than 450 civilian and sworn employees and brings decades of experience to the role. Department officials say he’s already begun implementing his vision and strategic goals, setting the tone for continued advancement.
Staffing and recruitment also saw meaningful progress in 2025. With voter approval of a city charter amendment, residency requirements for firefighter hiring were lifted. The change allows the department to recruit candidates from neighboring states, expanding the applicant pool while helping address staffing shortages and reduce training costs, all while maintaining service quality.
Expanded capabilities
Training capacity took a major step forward in March with the opening of a new training tower at the department’s Amnicola Highway training center. The $3 million, 8,053-square-foot structure – a joint city-county project – features six stories and multiple burn rooms designed to support live-fire exercises, high-rise operations, search and rescue, technical rescue, ventilation, aerial ladder training and firefighter rescue scenarios.
The facility is expected to serve both Chattanooga firefighters and surrounding departments for years to come.
That same month, Fire Station 6 on Bonny Oaks Drive saw the first use of its Safe Haven Baby Box, providing a safe and anonymous option for parents in crisis to surrender an infant. Department officials described the box as a vital resource for protecting vulnerable children and supporting families during difficult circumstances.
April brought additional operational expansion with the launch of the Chattanooga Fire Department’s Wildland Fire Team. The team is trained to deploy locally, regionally and statewide to assist with wildfire suppression. To support those efforts, the department expanded its brush truck and utility terrain vehicle fleet to improve access to hard-to-reach areas.
Also in April, the department partnered with the Chattanooga Fire Fighters Association Local 820 to host a Regional Advanced Extrication Class. More than 60 firefighters from Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina trained in Chattanooga, focusing on complex rescue scenarios such as vehicle impalements, school bus crashes and cars pinned on concrete barriers.
Recruitment efforts culminated in early August, when 32 cadets completed the six-month fire academy and joined the department. The next academy class, scheduled to begin Jan. 23, will include 30 cadets.
August also marked an important milestone for the department’s Swiftwater Rescue Team, which received accreditation from the State of Tennessee after a successful evaluation by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. The team demonstrated its capabilities through multiple simulated rescues on the Tennessee River.
The accreditation was put to the test shortly afterward, when the team responded to severe flash flooding Aug. 12, rescuing motorists from submerged vehicles and assisting stranded residents.
Staffing growth
In September, firefighters secured significant pay increases with the support of the mayor and city council, an effort aimed at improving recruitment and retention amid growing concerns that Chattanooga lagged behind peer cities in public safety compensation.
Response coverage expanded again in October with the placement of Ladder 21 into service at Fire Station 21 on East Brainerd Road. The addition enhances protection for neighborhoods and businesses in East Brainerd and required the assignment of 15 additional firefighters. The move also marked the department’s first increase in total staffing since 2016, reflecting both city growth and rising service demands.
Firefighter health and safety remained a priority throughout the year. In 2025, the department received grant funding to provide ultrasound cancer screenings for all firefighters, addressing cancers that disproportionately affect the profession. The screenings also included evaluations for heart-related issues.
Looking ahead, the department plans to expand heart-health initiatives and focus on physical and mental wellness through ongoing training.
Planning for 2026
Fleet modernization continued as well, with six new fire trucks added in 2025 and 10 more scheduled for delivery in 2026. Construction is set to begin on Station 14 in St. Elmo in June 2026, while work on Fire Station 2 on Aetna Mountain is expected to start early next year.
From emergency response and specialized rescue operations to training investments and firefighter wellness, department leaders say 2025 represented a year of meaningful growth. With expanded staffing, upgraded facilities and new leadership in place, the Chattanooga Fire Department enters 2026 focused on preparedness, progress and service to the community.
Source: Chattanooga Fire Department