The Chattanooga Fire Department will present the Chattanooga Public Library with a copy of its newly published history book, documenting 150 years of firefighters’ service to the city and its citizens. On Friday, Fire Chief Phil Hyman and Battalion Chief David Thompson Jr., CFD Historian, will provide Library Director Corinne Hill with their copy of the book so it can be added to the library’s local history department.
The CFD officially went into service on Nov.
14, 1871, as a volunteer fire department composed of 105 citizens who pledged themselves to help fight fires. Improvements were made from year to year and officials saw the need for a larger department. In 1880, the first paid company was formed. From there, the agency grew and evolved with more members and equipment. Today, it is an ISO Class 1 department, providing superior property fire protection.
The history is preserved in a new comprehensive book that was just published by Heritage Portraits & Albums. The book is a tribute to all those who have served in the department and it documents the department’s story chronically through the years as the agency continually adapted to meet the needs of an ever-growing city. Years of research and countless hours of hard work went into the publication. A group of current and retired firefighters combed through thousands of photos, articles and documents to compile the details, major events and department milestones in the book. It is an honor to have it added to the library’s collection.
“Since 1871, the Chattanooga Fire Department has protected lives and property. The journey to today’s CFD is all about sacrifice, hard work and dedication and that story is perfectly laid out in this new history book. It was a massive undertaking and we are proud of the final product. It’s fantastic to know that it will be at the library to share with the public for many years to come,” said Fire Chief Phil Hyman.