Building Maintenance Mechanic 2

Chattanooga Police Department's Drone First Responder Pilot Program takes off. The Chattanooga Police Department announced today the launch of its DroneFirst Responder (DFR) Pilot Program, designed to provide officers and other first responders with real-time information about active incidents and other emergency calls for service. The program is intended to help officers make faster, more informed decisions, improve resource deployment, and enhance overall public safety. The program consists of two prepositioned unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) located at Chattanooga Fire Department Stations 4 and 9, at 2181 Curtis Street and 3250 8th Avenue, respectively. These dock locations were selected based on crime data identifying areas where violent crime most frequently occurred. When a 911 or police-generated call for service occurs, the UAS is launched by a police officer located in the CPD Real Time Intelligence Center (RTIC) at 3410 Amnicola Highway and flies to the scene of the call. Once on scene, the drone transmits live video to responding officers, operators, and incident commanders. If officers still need to respond, the UAS will stay over the scene until the call is stabilized, at which time the UAS will return to the launch/landing location. The drones are not used for routine patrols or general surveillance. CPD has authorization from the FAA to operate these platforms up to a 3-mile radius from the docks. "Technology like our Drone First Responder pilot program serves as a force multiplier, providing officers critical information before they arrive on scene and helping them respond more safely and effectively," said Chief John Chambers. "This program is also a great example of the partnership between the police and fire departments, working together to assess critical incident scenes, search for missing persons, support disaster response, and other operations where preservation of life is a priority." Four city council districts are within the two-mile flight radius of the two fire stations. Those four council members, Dennis Clark, Raquetta Dotley, Ron Elliott, and Marvene Noel are aware that the drones are operating in their respective areas and their purpose. Other outreach and education efforts have been made through community groups, neighborhood associations, Community Police Interaction Committee meetings, and Community Police Academy. CPD's Unmanned Aircraft System policy prohibits the department and its officers from using drones for general surveillance, harassing individuals or groups, or conducting business not law enforcement-generated or affiliated. Every deployment is governed by federal regulations, department policy, and publicly reported. An online dashboard provides information on CPD's DFR pilot program including flight maps, duration, call types, and date/time. Data obtained by the UAS shall be retained in accordance with CPD policies: OPS-63, Digital Recording Systems and SOP-22, Digital Evidence. The DFR drones and associated equipment are manufactured by BRINC, an American technology company specializing in drones and software for public safety and emergency response.

City of Chattanooga to celebrate opening of first Community Resource Hub at East Lake Community Center. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on July 27 Marks New Era of Neighborhood-Based Chattanooga, Tennessee (July 14, 2026) The City of Chattanooga Department of Community Development is proud to announce the grand opening of its first Community Resource Hub (CRH), a new initiative that brings essential resources, services, and opportunities directly into neighborhoods. The community is invited to celebrate this milestone during a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Monday, July 27, 2026, from 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the East Lake Community Center. Following the successful pilot launch in February 2026, during which the City of Chattanooga introduced the mission and vision for its Community Resource Hub (CRH) initiative, the Department of Community Development is pleased to announce the operational launch of the East Lake Community Resource Hub. The event will formally introduce residents to the Community Resource Hub model in action, an innovative approach that transforms neighborhood community centers into centralized, one-stop destinations for essential services and support. Through partnerships with local organizations and service providers, residents, and families will have access to educational resources, health and wellness services, workforce development opportunities, family support programs, financial resources, community assistance, and other valuable services designed to strengthen individuals, families, and neighborhoods. "The Community Resource Hub represents our commitment to meeting residents where they are," said Cedric Henson, Administrator of the Department of Community Development. "By bringing together trusted community partners under one roof, we're creating easier access to the services and support that help individuals, families, and neighborhoods thrive." Following the ribbon cutting, attendees will have the opportunity to tour the new hub, meet the organizations that will provide ongoing services, and learn about the many resources available to the community. The event will feature resource vendors, community organizations, local service providers, food, music, family-friendly activities, and opportunities to connect with City staff and community leaders. The East Lake Community Resource Hub (CRH) is the first of six locations in the community center ecosystem to establish a network of neighborhood-based resources throughout Chattanooga. CRHs are designed to remove barriers to accessing services by creating welcoming spaces where residents can find multiple resources in one convenient location. The City of Chattanooga invites residents, neighborhood leaders, nonprofit organizations, community partners, and local stakeholders to join in celebrating this exciting new chapter in community development. Organizations that provide community resources and services are encouraged to register as a vendor. Please contact Marisa Kelley at [email protected] for more information. Event Details: What: Community Resource Hub Ribbon Cutting & Community Celebration When: Monday, July 27, 2026 Time: Ribbon Cutting: 2:30 pm (Event Time: 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.) Where: East Lake Community Center, 3601 Dodds Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37407 Admission: Free and open to the public Email: [email protected] Text: "Resource" to 423-643-7300 Website: cha.city/resource

Chattanooga and Hamilton County join Bloomberg Philanthropies' $90 million national initiative to expand skilled trades, apprenticeships regionally. July 9, 2026 Chattanooga, Tenn. - Hamilton County Schools (HCS), in partnership with Chattanooga 2.0, the Hamilton County Mayor's Office, the City of Chattanooga, Associated General Contractors (AGC), IBEW Local 175, and UA Local 43 Plumbers and Steamfitters, today celebrated Hamilton County being named as one of nine regions selected to participate in Bloomberg Philanthropies' new $90 million national skilled trades initiative, which expands registered apprenticeship opportunities for students interested in skilled trade careers. Hamilton County is one of only two locations in the Southeastern region. Led by Chattanooga 2.0, and supported by a $9 million investment from Bloomberg Philanthropies, the program aims to serve as many as 600 high school students annually through skilled trades CTE coursework, with an estimated 120 students per year connecting to apprenticeships following graduation. Hamilton County is projected to have roughly 1,160 trade jobs available in the next year alone. This initiative will be working to close the skilled labor gap in its community, while creating pathways for students to lead successful careers after graduation. "Expanding skilled trades pathways is critical to ensuring each and every student has intentional opportunities to pursue their interests while they build the skills, industry connections, and confidence they need to connect their education to thriving-wage careers after graduation," shared Dr. Justin Robertson, Superintendent of Hamilton County Schools. "Bloomberg Philanthropies' investment reflects the momentum in Hamilton County, and serves as a powerful signal of what is possible when education, industry, and community align around a shared vision for student success." Students will have increased access to career exploration, technical training, work-based learning experiences, and pre-apprenticeship opportunities that connect directly to Registered Apprenticeships in fields including construction, electrical work, plumbing, welding and HVAC. The initiative also represents a long-term investment in Hamilton County's workforce by connecting students directly with careers that are essential to its community's continued growth. By bringing together education, business, labor organizations, and local government, the initiative will create a coordinated approach to addressing workforce needs while ensuring more students have access to thriving-wage careers close to home. "This investment marks a massive step forward in Hamilton County, officially reestablishing a strong partnership between our public schools and local trade unions." said Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp. "Through this initiative, we will create direct pathways to high-quality careers for students from every single community in our county. Bloomberg Philanthropies' confidence in Hamilton County, alongside some of the most prominent cities in America, is validation that our commitment to career and technical education is leading the nation." "This investment validates Chattanooga's collaborative strength in bringing schools, industry, and civic leaders together," said Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly. "By expanding Chattanooga 2.0's pathways into the skilled trades, we are directly advancing the One Chattanooga vision - giving students the support they need to explore their interests, build in-demand skills, and launch thriving-wage careers right here at home." The initiative is supported by industry and labor partners who will help provide mentorship, work-based learning experiences, and direct connections to Registered Apprenticeships. "The solution to the labor shortage in construction starts with showing young people the strong opportunity that exists in the skilled trades," said Arch Willingham, Board Chair of AGC East Tennessee. "This partnership creates clear, supported pathways for the next generation of builders, tradespeople, and leaders. East Tennessee's construction community is committed to investing in those pathways, because the young people we help into careers today are the ones who will build this region's future." "The electrical industry is growing at a pace we've not seen in our lifetime, and the IBEW is excited to partner with our county schools to ensure we properly prepare young people to enter our joint apprenticeship programs and embark on a path to family-sustaining careers in the trade," said Curtis Sharpe, International Vice President for IBEW Tenth District. "By investing in student exposure and availability to apprenticeships in welding, pipefitting, plumbing, and HVAC, The United Association and Local 43 are not just training workers - they are building the future backbone of our communities," said Joe Coke, President and Training Coordinator of UA Local 43 Plumbers and Steamfitters. "Skilled trades create careers with purpose, strengthen our infrastructure, and ensure the next generation is prepared to meet the demands of an evolving workforce with a sustainable wage, knowledge, craftsmanship, and pride." Bloomberg Philanthropies' investment will support HCS Future Ready Centers and the Construction Career Center through facilities renovations, the purchase of additional equipment, personnel resources, and program delivery to support a pipeline of students into high-wage trade careers. Most notably, the funding will also support a competency-based portfolio system that provides a validated record of students' skills and readiness for employers and unions. "Millions of good-paying jobs are going unfilled, and too many students never get a chance to learn the skills necessary to get them. This new initiative will help change that," said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies and three-term mayor of New York City. "By bringing schools, unions, and employers together as partners, we can offer students free training and credentials that lead directly to rewarding careers. Jobs in the skilled trades helped build America's middle class, and now they can help a new generation enter and strengthen it."