Supporting our First Responders
Hamilton County is home to some of the most dedicated and selfless first responders in the state — and as your County Commissioner, I will always be a strong advocate for the men and women who serve and protect us every day.
Whether it’s EMS, our volunteer fire departments, or the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, these professionals are the backbone of our public safety network. They show up without hesitation when we call — and they deserve our full support in return.
Committed to Those Who Serve
During my time as a Chattanooga City Councilman, I made it a priority to fight for the resources our police officers and firefighters needed. I worked closely with public safety leadership to increase funding, secure better equipment, and improve health protections for our first responders. That commitment doesn't stop at the city limits — it's something I carry with me into my role on the County Commission.
Our firefighters, EMTs, and deputies are public servants in the truest sense. They keep our neighborhoods safe, our families protected, and our county running when emergencies strike. I will continue to work to ensure they have the tools, training, and resources necessary to do their jobs well — and get home safely at the end of every shift.
"It is important to recognize that our public servants provide this community with safe and secure neighborhoods so that we have the confidence to go about our daily routines relatively without fear. We rely on their support to help us live our best lives. We, in turn, should provide them with the tools to do their job and thank them for their selfless acts they demonstrate on a daily basis." Commissioner Ken Smith
Whether it’s EMS, our volunteer fire departments, or the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, these professionals are the backbone of our public safety network. They show up without hesitation when we call — and they deserve our full support in return.
Committed to Those Who Serve
During my time as a Chattanooga City Councilman, I made it a priority to fight for the resources our police officers and firefighters needed. I worked closely with public safety leadership to increase funding, secure better equipment, and improve health protections for our first responders. That commitment doesn't stop at the city limits — it's something I carry with me into my role on the County Commission.
Our firefighters, EMTs, and deputies are public servants in the truest sense. They keep our neighborhoods safe, our families protected, and our county running when emergencies strike. I will continue to work to ensure they have the tools, training, and resources necessary to do their jobs well — and get home safely at the end of every shift.
"It is important to recognize that our public servants provide this community with safe and secure neighborhoods so that we have the confidence to go about our daily routines relatively without fear. We rely on their support to help us live our best lives. We, in turn, should provide them with the tools to do their job and thank them for their selfless acts they demonstrate on a daily basis." Commissioner Ken Smith
Hamilton County EMS
Hamilton County EMS provides advanced life support emergency medical services across the county. Their team of highly trained paramedics and EMTs responds to thousands of emergencies every year — and they are often the first on the scene when seconds matter most.
Learn more about their service at hamiltontnems.org
Councilman Smith has the honor to be supported by the local CFFA:
"Councilman Ken Smith has a long history of support for the Chattanooga firefighters and their families. He has fought for the equipment and health protections we need to safely do our jobs. For years now, Councilman Smith has proven that he will stand by us and keep his word. His constant support has enabled our firefighters to provide a higher quality and more efficient service to our fellow Chattanoogan's and the Chattanooga Fire Fighters Association is proud to continue our endorsement of Ken Smith as a member of Chattanooga's city council. " Jack Thompson, President CFFA Local 820
Learn more about their service at hamiltontnems.org
Councilman Smith has the honor to be supported by the local CFFA:
"Councilman Ken Smith has a long history of support for the Chattanooga firefighters and their families. He has fought for the equipment and health protections we need to safely do our jobs. For years now, Councilman Smith has proven that he will stand by us and keep his word. His constant support has enabled our firefighters to provide a higher quality and more efficient service to our fellow Chattanoogan's and the Chattanooga Fire Fighters Association is proud to continue our endorsement of Ken Smith as a member of Chattanooga's city council. " Jack Thompson, President CFFA Local 820
Volunteer Fire Departments
Hamilton County relies heavily on its network of volunteer fire departments, which serve as vital emergency responders in communities that fall outside of city limits. These departments often supplement the work of full-time agencies and serve as the first line of defense in rural and suburban emergencies.
Volunteer departments serving District 3 and nearby communities include:
These men and women sacrifice their time — often responding from home or work — to protect their neighbors. I am proud to support their work and will continue advocating for county-level coordination, training, and funding to help them succeed.
Volunteer departments serving District 3 and nearby communities include:
- Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department
- Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department
- Mowbray Volunteer Fire Department
- Sale Creek Volunteer Fire Department
- Sequoyah Volunteer Fire Department
- Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department
- Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department
- Flat Top Mountain Volunteer Fire Department
- And others supporting surrounding municipalities and mountain communities
These men and women sacrifice their time — often responding from home or work — to protect their neighbors. I am proud to support their work and will continue advocating for county-level coordination, training, and funding to help them succeed.
Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office
The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office serves as the primary law enforcement agency for the unincorporated areas of the county, operating detention facilities, providing school resource officers, and responding to emergencies of all kinds.
While the County Commission helps fund the Sheriff's Department and supports its operational needs, it's important to understand the structure of our local government. The County Commission does not create laws — we are bound by the laws passed by the Tennessee State Legislature. Likewise, the Sheriff’s Office is responsible for enforcing state laws, not local ordinances.
That said, I will continue to work collaboratively with the Sheriff’s Office to ensure they have the funding, training, and support necessary to serve our communities effectively and with honor.
Learn more about their team and services at join.hcsheriff.gov
While the County Commission helps fund the Sheriff's Department and supports its operational needs, it's important to understand the structure of our local government. The County Commission does not create laws — we are bound by the laws passed by the Tennessee State Legislature. Likewise, the Sheriff’s Office is responsible for enforcing state laws, not local ordinances.
That said, I will continue to work collaboratively with the Sheriff’s Office to ensure they have the funding, training, and support necessary to serve our communities effectively and with honor.
Learn more about their team and services at join.hcsheriff.gov
A History of Support
Over the years, I’ve earned the trust of many in our public safety community because I do what I say I’m going to do. When our first responders speak up about a need — whether it’s better protective gear, updated equipment, or more funding — I listen, and I act.
Commissioner Smith has the honor to be supported by the local CFFA:
"Commissioner Ken Smith has a long history of support for firefighters and their families. He has fought for the equipment and health protections we need to safely do our jobs. For over 12 years, Commissioner Smith proved during his time on City Council that he will stand by us and keep his word. His constant support has enabled our firefighters to provide a higher quality and more efficient service to all we serve and the Chattanooga Fire Fighters Association is proud to continue our endorsement of Ken Smith as a member of the Hamilton County Commission."
Jack Thompson, President CFFA Local 820
Commissioner Smith has the honor to be supported by the local CFFA:
"Commissioner Ken Smith has a long history of support for firefighters and their families. He has fought for the equipment and health protections we need to safely do our jobs. For over 12 years, Commissioner Smith proved during his time on City Council that he will stand by us and keep his word. His constant support has enabled our firefighters to provide a higher quality and more efficient service to all we serve and the Chattanooga Fire Fighters Association is proud to continue our endorsement of Ken Smith as a member of the Hamilton County Commission."
Jack Thompson, President CFFA Local 820
Moving Forward Together
As your Commissioner, I will always support those who answer the call, whether they wear a badge, respond from the firehouse, or drive an ambulance through a storm. They’re there for us. And I will always be there for them.