OUR HISTORY
WHERE WE STARTED
CHCRS was established in June 1937 as the American Red Cross Life Saving Squad, a volunteer effort to fill an urgent need for emergency services in the Chattanooga area.
Throughout the years, CHCRS has gone through several name and organizational changes. In the late 50’s we were called the Civil Defense Rescue Service, with 5 dedicated rescue services. In the early 1960’s the Cave/Cliff Unit was officially formed by an avid caver and squad member, Don Black. The squad was officially chartered by the State of Tennessee as the Chattanooga – Hamilton County Rescue Service on August 12, 1965.
WHERE WE ARE NOW
CHCRS continues to provide valuable professional services to the citizens of Chattanooga, Hamilton County and the surrounding Tri-State area. Our Emergency Incident Rehabilitation Unit provides much-needed support and breathing air for SCBA’s to area fire & emergency departments. Our Cave/Cliff/Technical Unit provides technical rope & cave rescue, ground search & rescue, and emergency stand-by services to any emergency agency, state or county that requests our response.
We continue to train and work closely with other agencies and professional organizations to further the cause founded by the first members in 1937, which was “We volunteer because we care.” The strength of the Chattanooga – Hamilton County Rescue Service is found in our achievements and in the continued dedication of our professional volunteer rescuers. We are known across the world as one of the best technically trained rescue squads in the country.
