Chattanooga Fire Department 150 years

They are celebrating with a new book on their history

CHATTANOOGA , Tennessee (WDEF)- The Chattanooga Fire Department is celebrating its 150 years of putting out fires and helping keep Chattanooga safe.

The CFD officially went into service on November 14, 1871 as a volunteer fire department composed of 105 citizens who pledged themselves to help fight fires.

Over the years it has grown and into a full profession and now there are more than 400 firefighters protection nearly 145 thousand citizens.

Retired captain Ron Boyd said putting the book together took a long time because they would spend hours telling war stories, which sadly we don’t get to hear.

“You know I really can’t say because it’s fire hall hi-jinks and it’s not for public consumption many times. Needless to say there were a few mysteries revealed along the way,” said Boyd.

Currently, there are 26 companies housed in 20 stations across the city, a Fire Prevention Bureau that conducts inspections year-round, a modern training center and a repair shop.