Chattanooga, TN - Chattanooga firefighters responded to Koch Foods Inc. in Lookout Valley
Friday afternoon after several workers found themselves in a sticky
situation.
At 2:06 PM on 4/4/25, Green Shift companies were called to 1001
Birmingham Highway on a medical emergency and possible rescue operation
after receiving reports of an unconscious person in a silo. Upon CFD’s
arrival, it was discovered that the silos were empty and contracted workers
were working inside one of the silos. One of those workers was outside of
the silo after suffering a fall and he was transported to the hospital by
HCEMS. Three other workers were inside the silo on a platform that had
malfunctioned.
The moving platform was 60 feet off the ground from the
bottom of the silo. Firefighters started to monitor the air quality inside
the silo and a supervisor was able to get in touch with the crew up on the
platform. He informed everyone that the workers were alright and that they
were able to get the platform fixed. The workers made their way down on the
platform and CFD personnel helped them off the platform at the opening of
the silo.
Patient care was turned over to EMS as the workers were checked
for dehydration due to the high temps inside the silo. Officials learned
that the injured worker had started climbing down a pipe inside the silo
and got 20 feeet from bottom when he fell off the pipe. He managed to climb
the rest of the way out of the silo. The extent of his injuries is unknown.
Once everyone was out of the silo, CFD units returned to service. Squad 20,
Engine 3, Squad 13, Squad 7, Battalion 1, USAR 1 and Special Operations
responded.
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