Chattanooga Fire Department launches new wildland fire team

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)  — The Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) has launched a specialized Wildland Fire Team in response to the rising threat of wildfires across Tennessee.

CFD also has 20 trained firefighters on the team, with plans to expand.

The initiative was born from lessons learned following the Gatlinburg wildfires, prompting command staff to begin developing a dedicated unit with the right equipment and training.

Training was led by instructors from the Tennessee Division of Forestry, who provided field exercises in cutting fire breaks, handling fast-moving brush fires, and survival tactics.

The team is now certified as a National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Type 6 response crew, capable of deploying both locally and regionally to support large-scale wildfire operations.

CFD has also added five brush trucks equipped with pumps and water tanks, along with a UTV outfitted for wildland operations and patient transport.

“The implementation of the Wildland Fire Team is another bucket-list item for the Chattanooga Fire Department.  Our department strives to be progressive and proactive while maintaining the highest level of service for our citizens. It is crucial that fire departments adapt to changing environmental conditions and the implementation of this team will make the CFD even more resilient in the future.”

-Fire Chief Phil Hyman