The Muscle Shoals Fire Department is a career department located in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Muscle Shoals is one of four cities clustered in Northwest Alabama in an area known as the Shoals. Muscle Shoals Fire Rescue responds to emergency calls from three stations located strategically throughout the city. The Muscle Shoals Fire Department serves an area of twelve square miles with a city population of approximately 17.2 thousand. The department averages over 2,200 emergency calls annually and provides mutual aid to area paid and volunteer departments.
The department provides fire suppression, rescue and extrication, hazardous materials mitigation, non-transport emergency medical care and water rescue and recovery. The Muscle Shoals Fire Department is staffed by 33 state certified career firefighter-emergency medical technicians and officers. Personnel are divided into three shifts that maintain 24 hour, 7 day a week vigilance over the city.
Fire Station #1 is located at 1002 E. Avalon Avenue. Adjacent to Fire Station #1 is the administration building housing the office of the Fire Chief, Fire Marshal, Training Officer, and Fire Inspector. This facility also includes a fully equipped gym for our Health and Wellness Program. Fire Station #2 is located at the Northwest Alabama Regional Airport at 1687 T. Ed Campbell Drive, Fire Station #3 is located at 401 Ford Road. And our newest Station #4 is located at 2816 Old Highway 20.
John Hyde, Fire Chief
John Hyde is a dedicated public servant and Fire Chief for the City of Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Born and raised in Muscle Shoals, he graduated from Muscle Shoals High School in 2003, marking the beginning of his deep-rooted connection to his community. After graduating, John began his career in public service by joining the City of Muscle Shoals Fire Department on July 21, 2004. To enhance his skills and qualifications, he attended the Alabama Fire College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he completed recruit school and earned his EMT Basic license. Over the years, John steadily worked his way through the ranks of the fire department, showcasing his dedication and leadership abilities. His hard work culminated in his promotion to Fire Chief on April 1, 2025, a role in which he continues to serve his community with honor and commitment. In 2005, John married his wife, Brittany, and together they have two children. As a family man, John values his strong ties to his family and his community. He is passionate about working for the City of Muscle Shoals, where he strives every day to be the best possible person and leader for both his colleagues at the fire department and the people of Muscle Shoals. Throughout his career, John has remained focused on improving the fire department, ensuring it is equipped and ready to protect the community. His leadership style is centered around fostering teamwork, building trust, and maintaining a high standard of excellence in everything the department does. His commitment to service, community, and personal growth continues to shape the positive future of the City of Muscle Shoals. Contact Fire Chief Hyde at 256-386-9231, Ext. 1 or via email at jhyde@muscleshoalsal.org.
Brian Stafford, Fire Marshal
Fire Marshal Brian Stafford teaches and Promotes Public Fire & Life Safety Education through Fire Drills, Escape Planning, speeches, and other demonstrations at various locations throughout the City. Fire Marshal Stafford inspects all Businesses, Schools, Churches, Assisted Living, Hospitals, and Day Cares in the City of Muscle Shoals Fire Jurisdiction per the local fire code. Fire Marshal Stafford also handles all Arson Investigations, which includes the process of determining the Origin, Cause, and Development of Fires and/or Explosions. Contact Fire Marshal Stafford at 256-386-9231, Ext. 3 or via email at bstafford@muscleshoalsal.org.
Terry Wright, Fire Inspector
Fire Inspector Wright inspects all businesses inside the Jurisdiction. Inspector Wright also assists the Fire Marshal in Fire Prevention Education and Arson Investigation. Contact Fire Inspector Wright at 256-386-9231, Ext. 5 or via email at twright@muscleshoalsal.org.
Ryan Andrews, Training Officer
Lieutenant Ryan Andrews is responsible for all training aspects for our department which includes but is not limited to the following areas of the fire service; Aircraft Rescue Firefighting, Hazardous Materials Response, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Suppression, Vehicle Extrication, and Technical Rescue. Lt. Andrews also works closely with the Alabama Fire College and Personnel Standards and Education Commission to teach various classes at the Muscle Shoals Regional Training Center located at 3022 Reduction Plant Road. This facility is not only utilized for first responders on a local level but anyone in the State of Alabama and across the United States. Lt. Andrews also serves as a Safety Officer for our department. Contact Training Officer Lieutenant Ryan Andrews at 256-386-9231, Ext. 6 or via email at randrews@muscleshoalsal.org.
Operations Division
The Operations Division of the department is composed of three shifts with 12 personal each shift that respond out of four stations to provide all hazard mitigation to the citizens of the city and anyone who travels through it. The three shifts are supervised by a Captain that is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the department.
A-Shift Captain Patrick Hall | phall@muscleshoalsal.org
B-Shift Captain Todd Bohannon | tbohannon@muscleshoalsal.org
C-Shift Captain Chris Hogeland | chogeland@muscleshoalsal.org
*Contact each Shift Captain at 256-386-9231, Ext. 0