photo by Bruce Garner
Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke joined Chattanooga firefighters Monday morning at the Fireman’s Fountain to officially kick off Fire Prevention Week. Fire Marshal Beau Matlock said the theme for this year is “Hear the Beep, Where you Sleep!” Chief Matlock said that when a fire breaks out in a home, every second counts. “Roughly half of home fire deaths result from fires at night between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most people are asleep,” he said. “Home smoke alarms can alert people to a fire before it spreads, giving everyone enough time to get out.”
Mayor Berke said we all know how fire presents a danger not only to our citizens, but to our firefighters as well. “Fire Prevention Week to me is about ensuring that we are serving out citizens in the best way possible,” he said. “We honor those firefighters who have come before us and we honor those that have given the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our city.”
Chief Matlock said the fire service remains one of the most dangerous professions one can choose. Members of the fire department’s honor guard led those firefighters present in saluting those firefighters who have passed away over the past year. The Fireman’s Fountain, next to the county courthouse on Georgia Avenue, was erected as a tribute to the bravery of firefighters Henry Iler and W.M. Peak, who died in the line of duty in what was called the “Bee Hive” fire at Fourth and Market streets on June 9, 1887.
Also during the ceremony, members of the Alhambra Shrine Highlanders Pipes and Drums performed “Amazing Grace” to honor the fallen firefighters.
photo by Bruce Garner