Chattanooga, TN – On the morning of March 21, 2025, two workers were successfully rescued from the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) Pump Storage Facility on Raccoon Mountain after a man basket malfunction left them stranded 150 feet below.
At approximately 11:00 AM, the Chattanooga Fire Department’s Blue Shift responded to an emergency at the intake structure where the workers were performing routine maintenance.
The man basket, used to transport workers, malfunctioned, preventing the workers from returning to the top of the structure.
TVA officials, Hamilton County EMS, and Chattanooga Fire responded swiftly to the scene to assist with the complex rescue operation.
Firefighters from the Chattanooga Fire Department set up a rope rescue system on the platform at the top of the intake structure.
The workers were hauled up individually by the rescue team, with the operation completed by 1:30 PM. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, thanks to the prompt response and collaboration between the emergency teams.
Members of the Chattanooga Fire Department’s Urban Search & Rescue Team and Special Operations Division played a critical role in ensuring the safe and efficient execution of the rescue.
The successful operation highlights the teamwork and preparedness of first responders in handling high-risk rescue situations.