Thirty-two cadets have officially joined the Chattanooga Fire Department after completing six months of intensive training at the department’s Fire Academy.
The program included Emergency Medical Technician certification, instruction in fire department operations, fire attack, suppression and search-and-rescue techniques. Cadets also mastered specialized skills such as hazardous materials response, vehicle extrication, rope rescues, ventilation and survival tactics designed to protect themselves or fellow firefighters in life-threatening situations.
This year’s graduating class was the first to train with CFD’s new state-of-the-art training tower. The facility allowed instructors to recreate realistic emergency scenarios, including live burns, smoke-filled rooms with zero visibility and multi-floor victim rescues.
CFD officials say the diverse group of both men and women demonstrated “dedication, resilience and a strong commitment to serving the people of Chattanooga.”
The graduates will now join fire stations across the city, ready to respond to emergencies and protect the community.