Chattanooga, TN – The Chattanooga Fire Department is celebrating a major milestone as its Swiftwater Rescue Team has officially received state accreditation. The designation makes the team a recognized and deployable emergency resource throughout Tennessee.
The accreditation follows months of preparation, including intensive training, equipment upgrades, and an extensive application process. The team passed its operational readiness exercise with high marks.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) praised the department’s work, stating, “This was an exceptionally well put together application and the team met all expectations during the operational readiness exercise. Job well done.”
With this accreditation, the team is now equipped and authorized to respond not only to emergencies in Chattanooga but also to water rescues across the state. The department expressed pride in the accomplishment and gratitude to everyone who contributed to the effort.