Chattanooga Fire Captains Honored for Heroic Rescue
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Two Chattanooga fire captains have been awarded the ‘Life-Saving Medal’ for their courageous efforts in saving a truck driver from a fiery crash. The dramatic rescue occurred on I-65 in Scott County, Indiana, on February 19, 2024, and was captured on video.
The footage shows Captain Justin McCommon of Engine 22 Red Shift clambering onto a pickup truck to help Retired Chattanooga Police Officer Brian Bloomberg pull the semi-truck driver from his burning vehicle. “Part of his body was out the window, and he was waving for help, and the front of his truck was crushed with flames coming up, so Captain Moses and myself ran back to where he was,” McCommon explains.
In the video, Captain Jason Moses of Engine 17 Red Shift is seen emptying one fire extinguisher and reaching for another to keep the flames at bay while McCommon and Bloomberg worked to rescue the pinned-in driver. Moments after the driver was pulled to safety, the flames rapidly grew more intense.
The driver was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. Later, on Tuesday, Captain McCommon and Captain Moses were publicly awarded their medals for their valiant efforts.
“That’s the kind of thing that firefighters do every day on duty. We just happened to be off duty,” said McCommon. Despite the recognition, he emphasized that any firefighter witnessing the incident would have likely acted in a similar manner. The sequence of events unfolded as McCommon and Moses were returning from a business trip in Indianapolis.
“We were stopped for traffic on the interstate and we heard the accident happen behind us. There was a semi truck rear-ended, a pickup truck, and the semi truck driver was hanging on top.”
Reflecting on the incident, Captain McCommon expressed his gratitude for the timing and their ability to help. “God just set us in the right place at the right time to where we could use what we were used to, to help.”
The event has highlighted the bravery and quick thinking often exhibited by first responders, showcasing their willingness to leap into action even when off duty. Though the truck driver sustained only minor injuries, the situation could have turned grim without the rapid and coordinated efforts of McCommon, Moses, and Bloomberg.
This award ceremony stands as a testament to the dedication and courage of firefighters, who continuously put their lives on the line to save others. While the two captains remain humble about their actions, their heroic rescue has undoubtedly left a mark on the Chattanooga community.
