Divisions

Chief David L. Coble started his professional fire service career in 1984 at the Fort Worth Fire Department. Chief Coble spent more than 3 decades moving up the ranks in the Fort Worth Fire Department reaching the rank of Executive Assistant Fire Chief. He served as interim Fort Worth Fire Chief before retiring in 2016. Chief Coble was selected and confirmed for the position of Tyler Fire Chief on September 28, 2016 and he continues to lead the department today.

Chief Coble believes in servant leadership, education and professional development. He earned an Associated of Applied Science in Fire Service Administration from Weatherford College, a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Dallas Baptist University, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Texas A & M University – Commerce. He also holds certifications through the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) as Master Structure Firefighter, Advance Instructor, Master Fire Inspector, Hazardous Materials Technician and Head of Department. Chief Coble is an Executive Fire Officer completing the four year program at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD. Coble has also completed the FEMA National Emergency Management Executive Academy, International Association of Fire Chief’s Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI) fellowship, the five year Carl Holmes Executive Development Institute, IAFC Executive Officer Development Program, Leadership Fort Worth fellowship, and Leadership Tyler Executive Orientation Series.

In addition to his fire service duties, Chief Coble serves as the Managing Director of Emergency Services for the City of Tyler and the Emergency Management Coordinator. He further serves the community through the following boards and organizations: Leadership Tyler Board Member, Catalyst 100 Advisory Board Member, Salvation Army Advisory Board Member, Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Board Member, City of Tyler Liaison to Veteran Groups in Smith County, Mayor’s Mentorship Achievement Program, Tyler Chamber of Commerce Career Connections Event (C4) and the UT Tyler Career Success Conference.

Assistant Chief Kelly Adkinson began his professional fire service career in 1992. He has served the Tyler Fire Department with excellence for over 27 years, rising through the ranks of Fire Fighter, Fire Engineer, Fire Captain, and Fire Senior Captain.

Assistant Chief Adkinson is a highly qualified and experienced firefighter and paramedic with a solid academic background. He has obtained various certifications, including TCFP Master Firefighter, Fire Officer, Fire Instructor, Hazardous Materials Technician and Incident Commander, TDHS EMT-Licensed Paramedic, Pro-Board Rope Rescue Technician, and Incident Management. He is also a Texas BON - Registered Nurse with an Associate's Degree in Nursing and another in Interdisciplinary Studies from Tyler Junior College. In addition, he has a Bachelor's degree in Fire and Emergency Services Administration from Texas A&M University-San Antonio.

Assistant Chief Michael Frost began his fire service career in 1996. He has moved up through every rank in the department: firefighter, Engineer, Captain, and Battalion Chief, before being promoted to Assistant Chief on February 12, 2017. In his current role, he oversees the department’s budget and administrative operations and serves as acting head of the department when required. He also serves as the Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator during major emergencies and disasters.

Chief Frost leads with an authentic and servant style of leadership grounded in service, trust, and integrity, focused on empowering others, strengthening team performance, and protecting the community with purpose. He holds certifications as a Master Firefighter, Fire Officer IV, and Instructor II through the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. He is a Registered Nurse (TBN) and certified EMT-Basic (TDH) and has completed extensive advanced training, including FEMA’s Advanced Professional Series (APS), the All-Hazards Incident Management Certificate from Texas A&M, and technical rescue certifications in Vehicle Extrication, Rope Rescue, Confined Space, Trench Rescue, and Hazardous Materials.

He is a graduate of the Kilgore College Fire Academy (Salutatorian, 1996), the Texas Fire Chiefs Academy, earning the Certified Fire Executive (CFE) designation, and the Texas A&M Fire Service Chief Executive Officer (FSCEO) Program, and has attended the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Chief Frost holds an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Fire Administration, a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Emergency Management, and a degree in Nursing (TBN). Chief Frost is also a graduate of the City of Tyler Leadership Academy (2015) and Leadership Tyler Class 31 (2018).

He is a member of the Texas Fire Chiefs Association and the International Association of Fire Chiefs. He currently serves on the Finance Committee for the Regional Advisory Council G (RAC-G) and as Co-Chair of the Smith County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC).

Battalion Chief Daniel Smith started his career in the fire service in 2004 with the Tyler Fire Department. Chief Smith moved up the ranks of the Tyler Fire Department serving as a Firefighter, Engineer, Captain, Senior Captain and is now the Battalion Chief of Training. He has served the city on both the Hazmat and Technical Rescue Teams. In 2022, he took over as the IT Liaison for the department and helps maintain the CAD, GIS, and fire records software for the department.

Chief Smith earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree in Fire Emergency Service – Fire Administration from Texas A&M University – San Antonio. He holds his Master Firefighter certification, his Wildland Firefighter certification, and his Hazardous Materials Technician certification from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.

Fire Marshal Joey Hooton began his service with the Tyler Fire Department in 2004. He has held the ranks of Firefighter, Driver/Engineer, Captain, Assistant Chief, and was appointed as the City of Tyler Fire Marshal on September 27th, 2023. He is responsible for managing the daily operations of the Fire Prevention Division to include Inspections, Investigations, and Fire Safety Education to the citizens of Tyler. Chief Hooton holds certifications through the Texas Commission on Fire Protection as a Master Firefighter, Fire Service Instructor, Fire Officer IV, Emergency Vehicle Technician, and Rope Rescue Technician.

Chief Hooton served with the Army's 101st Airborne Unit as well as in the US Army National Guard as an infantryman. His education includes an Associate of Arts in Economics from Tyler Junior College, a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Tyler, and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Texas at Tyler. He was part of the City of Tyler's Leadership Academy Class 33, the Highly Achieving Leaders Class of 2022, and is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. He has served on the Tyler Firefighters Relief and Retirement Fund Pension Board and the Tyler Firefighters Honor Guard. He and his wife Lori have two kids and are actively involved in community service.

Learn more about the Fire Marshal Office.

Technical Rescue in the City of Tyler falls primarily on the crews at Stations 1 and 2. All front line engines in the city are equipped with a hydraulic rescue tool, however the ladder trucks at 1 and 2 carry a more comprehensive set with greater capabilities. They also carry equipment for high angle rope, confined space, and swiftwater rescue.

The crews at the respective stations are required to receive training in various technical rescue disciplines, with technician level automobile extrication high on the list in addition to those mentioned above. The tech teams are subjected to monthly drills that cover a variety of scenarios, and includes the participation of the remaining structural engines, as technical rescues are truly a team effort.

The city responds to Hazardous materials incidents with Technician level responders housed at Station 1 on West Gentry. These Structural firefighting crews have additional training and are assigned to mitigate HAZMAT incidents as they arise. They carry specialized equipment via a trailer provided by the East Texas Council of Governments.