Fire Chief Russell G. Collier

(334) 625‑2975
rcollier@montgomeryal.gov

Chief Russell G. Collier joined Montgomery Fire/Rescue in May of 1998 shortly after graduating from Wetumpka High School in 1997. He rose through the ranks and served the department in many areas including Fire Suppression, Emergency Medical Service, Fire Service Inspections, Special Operations, and Standards/Compliance.

He was later promoted to Chief Executive Officer, a senior command‑level role responsible for coordinating administrative functions and providing direct support to the Fire Chief. In 2024, he advanced to the position of Chief of Staff, where he provided executive‑level oversight, strategic coordination, and organizational alignment across all divisions. He served in that capacity until August 2025, when he was appointed Interim Fire Chief.

As Chief Executive Officer, Chief Collier assisted with the general management of the department’s annual budget, staffing, and grant writing and management. He oversaw the daily operations of the Administrative Division, Training Division, and Information Technology Division. He also managed the accreditation process, ISO evaluation, and NFPA compliance, ensuring Montgomery Fire/Rescue consistently met or exceeded industry best practices through continuous evaluation, strategic planning, and performance improvement.

Chief Collier earned an associate degree from Trenholm State Community College and holds numerous professional certifications from the Alabama Fire College, National Fire Academy, University of Maryland, and New Mexico Tech. The Commission on Professional Credentialing designated him as a Chief Fire Officer, recognizing career excellence and commitment to continuous professional improvement. He is a graduate of Leadership Montgomery Class XXXII, the National Fire Staff and Command Course, and was named Montgomery Fire/Rescue’s 2004 Firefighter of the Year. He also serves as project manager for several major departmental events, including the Firefighter Combat Challenge and the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony.

On March 4, 2026, Mayor Steven Reed appointed Chief Collier as the City's 14th Fire Chief.