The Nashville Fire Department Marine Operations Section which is charged with protecting the 57.5 miles of Inland navigable waterway on the Cumberland River. The Marine Operations Section also provides emergency response capabilities for two large reservoirs Percy Priest and Old Hickory Lake’s. These waterways are used for recreational enjoyment and ever increasingly means of commuting and commerce. The Nashville Fire Department provides fire boats and rapid response rescue boats to provide essential emergency assistance, for the citizens and visitors of Nashville. The NFD works and trains jointly with Nashville Office of Emergency Management to provide water rescue and dive services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I stay safe while on the water?
Always wear your life jacket and practice boating safety. For specific information and education resources on boating safety in Tennessee, please visit Boating in Tennessee from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
What is the current life jacket law?
All boats, including canoes and kayaks, must be equipped with one wearable Personal Flotation Device (life jacket) for each person on board or for each person being towed on water skis, etc. More information is available on the State of Tennessee website.
What’s the difference in the Nashville Fire Department Marine Operations and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA)?
The Nashville Fire Department uses fire boats and rapid response rescue boats to provide essential emergency assistance, for the residents and visitors of Davidson County using waterways for recreational enjoyment, means of commuting and/or commerce.
The Mission of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is to preserve, conserve, manage, protect, and enhance the fish and wildlife of the state and their habitats for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of the citizens of Tennessee and its visitors.
How can I contact the Fire Department's Marine Operations Division for help?
If you are on a waterway in Davidson County and have a life-threatening emergency, please call 9-1-1. If you are on a waterway in Davidson County and need non-emergency assistance, please call the non-emergency line at 615-862-8600.
Does the Fire Department's Marine Operations Division tow?
Generally, we do not offer a towing service. There are several liability issues that prevent us from towing boats. However, we will always do a welfare check on a disabled boat to ensure there is no medical emergency and get you in contact with one of the towing companies on the lake.
What does the Fire Department's Marine Operations Division do?
Marine Operations responds to residents and visitors of Davidson County who have an emergency while on a waterway. All our personnel are Emergency Medical Technicians and can assist with medical emergencies until we are able to get patients to the nearest dock. Once on shore we can have ambulances and other apparatus waiting to further assist the patient.
Swift Water Rescue
Water Rescue team performs rescue during May 2010
Swift water rescue training
Boat Safety
Wear It Tennessee - Boating Safety - Always wear your life jacket