CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Chattanooga Fire Department is mourning the loss of retired Fire Chief Joe Knowles, a longtime leader credited with guiding the department through a period of growth and modernization.
Knowles died Monday morning at the age 93, surrounded by family.
Knowles became Chattanooga’s fire chief in 1976 as the city expanded through annexation.
During his tenure, the department built a new administration building and training center and opened several new fire stations. Station 10 moved to the Amnicola Highway area, and newly annexed areas received firehouses in Lookout Valley, East Brainerd and on Dayton Boulevard…