Chattanooga, TN – The Chattanooga Fire Department responded to two rescue incidents on Signal Mountain on March 22, one of which involved a Black Hawk helicopter assisting with the evacuation of an injured hiker.
Fire officials said the first incident of the day resulted in a fatality. Later that day, crews responded to a second emergency at Rainbow Falls, where an injured hiker required assistance from multiple agencies.
A Tennessee National Guard Black Hawk helicopter, identified as the Smokey Mountain UH-60, was deployed from Knoxville to extract the patient from the bottom of the mountain. The individual was reported to be in stable condition following the rescue.
Fire crews, including Squad 1, Engine 1, and Battalion 1 Green Shift, established a landing zone at Erlanger Lincoln Parkto support the helicopter operation. Additional units, including Squad 20, Squad 19, Squad 7, and USAR 1, responded to the mountain to assist with the rescue effort.
Officials credited coordination between local responders and state resources for the successful outcome of the second rescue.