CFD Captains Receive Life-Saving Awards for Actions in Fiery Interstate Wreck

Congratulations to Captain Justin McCommon (Engine 22 Red Shift) and Captain Jason Moses (Engine 17 Red Shift) on receiving Life-Saving Medals for helping a terrified truck driver escape a fiery interstate crash when they were off duty. They were returning from a business trip in Indianapolis earlier this year when they got caught in traffic. They heard a loud crash behind them involving multiple vehicles and they immediately took action. They saw the driver of a tractor trailer hanging out his driver’s side window, unable to get out of the burning wreckage and waving for assistance. It happened on I-65 in Scott County, Indiana (about 30 minutes north of Louisville, KY) on February 19, 2024, and the rescue was caught on camera.

In the video, you can see Captain McCommon in the background climbing up on a pickup truck to assist Retired Chattanooga Police Officer Brian Bloomberg in pulling the semi driver from his truck. In the foreground, you can see Captain Moses empty one fire extinguisher and grab another one to keep the flames at bay while the others rescued the driver of the tractor trailer. Then you can see how the flames progressed just minutes after they got him out.

“I had no doubt that you would do exactly what needed to be done in that instance, even when you were both off-duty,” Chattanooga Fire Chief Phil Hyman told both captains. “What you did was outstanding and I’m proud of you for your willingness to help others no matter where you are or what you're doing. It speaks volumes about your character.”