Chattanooga, TN – More than 60 firefighters from Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina gathered in Chattanooga this weekend to sharpen their vehicle extrication skills. The training, hosted by the Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) and the Chattanooga Fire Fighters Association Local 820, is taking place on April 26–27 at the Police & Fire Training Center on Amnicola Highway.
When severe crashes occur on highways and local roads, quick and expert rescues are critical to saving lives. This advanced regional course ensures that first responders are well-prepared for the most complex and challenging rescue operations. Through hands-on learning at ten different stations, participants are gaining valuable experience in a variety of emergency scenarios.
The course covers a wide range of topics, including the use of specialized air bags to lift vehicles, dealing with side impact damage, handling impalements, rescuing vehicles stuck on concrete barriers, managing crashes involving school buses, and manipulating damaged vehicles to reach trapped patients. Participants are also being introduced to the use of rotating wreckers to aid in rescuing victims from large vehicles.
Instructors are carefully simulating a variety of real-world rescue scenarios, allowing firefighters to work with compact cars, SUVs, school buses, tractor trailers, and heavy equipment. Designed for experienced rescuers, the training elevates participants’ understanding of vehicle design, modern safety systems, and the coordination required when working with heavy wreckers during large-scale incidents.
The two-day event not only enhances the skills of regional firefighters but also benefits a good cause. All proceeds from registration fees go directly to the Chattanooga Fire Fighters Support Foundation (CFFSF). The foundation provides financial and logistical support to local firefighters who are struggling due to job-related injuries or family illnesses.
Through this intensive training, the Chattanooga Fire Department and its partners are ensuring that the region’s first responders are fully prepared to face the toughest rescue challenges and save lives when every second counts.