Chattanooga, TN – The Chattanooga Firefighters Association, Local 820, is urging city leaders to approve a FY26 budget amendment to add Ladder 21 to Station 21. Currently, the station houses only an engine company, which responded to 1,470 calls for service last fiscal year.
Without a ladder truck at Station 21, surrounding neighborhoods are left without immediate ladder coverage. The nearest ladder is 15 minutes away, and the closest engine is 10 minutes away — delays that can be critical during medical emergencies and structure fires.
Jack Thompson, president of the Chattanooga Firefighters Association, emphasized that adding Ladder 21 would save lives, protect property, and improve safety for firefighters on duty…