The Chattanooga Fire Department recently celebrated the promotion of Alexander Efiom to Lieutenant at Station 8, 2130 Hickory Valley Road. Surrounded by loved ones and colleagues, Efiom was recognized for his dedication and expertise, with Chattanooga Fire Chief Phil Hyman acknowledging his exemplary work ethic and proficiency as a firefighter.
“You’re a future leader of this department,” Chief Hyman said. “You have a great reputation with your crew and an excellent command presence, so you understand the role of an officer and what’s expected. You’ll do great things in this position.”
Lt. Efiom brings a strong educational foundation, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (2013), and an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree in General Studies from Chattanooga State Community College (2011).
Station 8, established in 1974, has a rich history serving Tyner and the surrounding areas. Notably, it was the first station equipped for modern fire apparatus, revolutionizing emergency response times.
Constantly evolving over the years to better serve the community, Station 8 has pioneered technological advancements, adding into its firefighting arsenal Quint 8–which has a 75-foot aerial ladder, a 300-gallon water tank and a 1,500-gallon-per-minute (gpm) pump.
And for battling blazes beyond hydrants, they’ve got Tanker 8–which has a 3,000-gallon water tank and is used to transport water to fire scenes where there is no hydrant available. It can also be used to draft water from ponds, lakes, or rivers.
But Station 8’s firefighters don’t just fight fires, they actively participate in community events, school safety programs and fire prevention initiatives, building strong bonds with East Brainerd residents.