Rex Adams

Dynamic fire service leader with extensive experience at Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue, excelling in operational leadership and incident management. Proven track record in risk assessment and problem-solving, overseeing critical operations and enhancing team performance. Committed to safety and efficiency, with a strong focus on emergency management and organizational excellence.

• TFR Chief’s Advisory Board, 2004 – 2017
• TFR Legacy Book Committee, 2012, Lead person and oversaw the individual department personnel pictures and putting together of the book.
• TFR SCBA Purchasing Committee, Chairperson, 2016-2018, Oversaw the manufacture presentations, product evaluations, equipment purchasing, and equipment deployment.
• Subject Matter Expert for Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue Promotional Test for Captain, 2015, 2019, 2025
• TFR Promotional System Review Committee, 2015 - Present
• Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue Service Fire Chief Search Committee, 2018
• TFR / TFD Pay Plan Review Committee, 2019-2021, Discussed ideas and options on types of pay plans and implementation.
• Tuscaloosa 911 Board, 2025-2029, City of Tuscaloosa Representative.

• Basic EMT, Alabama, 1994
• NREMT, 2011
• Fire Fighter I, 1994
• LPG Emergency Response Training, 1995
• Recognizing and Identifying Hazardous Materials, 1995
• Fire Fighter II, 1996
• Incident Command System, 1997
• Hazardous Materials Technician, 1997
• High Angle / Confined Space Rescue, 1998
• Apparatus Operator, 1998
• Emergency Vehicle Operator – Fire, 1998
• Airport Fire Fighter, 1999
• Apparatus Operator Aerial, 2000
• BLS / CPR Instructor, 2001
• Air Monitoring Contaminants, 2001
• Rail Transportation of Hazardous Materials, 2001
• Emergency Response to Terrorism – Self Study, 2001
• Fire Instructor I, 2001
• ICS 195 – Basic Incident Command System, 2002
• Thermal Imaging Specialist, 2002
• Fire Officer I, 2003
• 40 Hour Fresh Water Oil Spill Control Course, Galveston, TX, 2003
• Fire Department Safety Officer: Health and Safety Officer, 2003
• Fire Department Safety Officer: Incident Safety Officer, 2003
• Alabama Department of Health – Smallpox: What Every First Responder Should Know, 2003
• TFRS ARFF Class, 2004
• Aircraft Live Fire Training, 2004
• Fire Officer II, 2005
• Alabama Department of Health – Strategic National Stockpile: First Responder Awareness, 2004
• Alabama Department of Health – Understanding and Preparing for Bioterrorism, 2005
• Incident Command System (FEMA), 2005
• ICS 700 - National Incident Management System (NIMS): An Introduction, 2005
• ICS 800 – National Response Plan (NRP): An Introduction, 2005
• Domestic Preparedness Equipment Technical Assistance Program – 16-hour course, 2007
• Operation and Maintenance of the Ludlum Model 3 Emergency (Radiological) Response Kit, 2007
• Use of Chemical Agent Detection Materials M8, M9, and M256A1, 2007
• Operation and Maintenance of the Industrial Scientific iTX Multi-Gas Monitor, 2007
• Operation and Maintenance of the M18A3 Chemical Agent Detection Kit, 2007
• Operation and Maintenance of the Photo Ionization Detector (PID) Passport PID II, 2007
• WMD Detection Technologies, 2007
• Operation and Maintenance of the Chemical Detector APD2000, 2007
• Aircraft Live Fire Training, 2007
• Fire Inspector I, 2008
• Fire Instructor II, 2009
• Managing Fire Ground Risk, 2009
• Mobile Fire Suppression Training, 2010
• ICS 704 – NIMS Communications and Information Management, 2010
• Aircraft Live Fire Training, 2010
• Fire Officer III, 2011
• Chemical Process Industries, 2011
• Command and Control of Target Hazards – National Fire Academy, Emmitsburg, MD, 2012
• Child Restraint Technician, 2013
• ICS 300 – For Expanding Incidents, 2014
• Traffic Incident Management Systems (TIMS), 2015
• BLS / CPR Instructor (Update), 2016
• MSA C.A.R.E Technician - SCBA Technician, 2018
• Integrated Emergency Management Course (IEMC) Community Specific, 2019
• Dementia Friendly Training, 2019
• ICS 100 – Introduction to Incident Command System, 2020
• ICS 200 - Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, 2020
• Alabama Department of Public Health – Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), 2021
• Fire Officer IV, 2022
• Developing and Managing a Breathing Air Program - Webinar, 2022
• ALEA Homeland Security Grant Training, 2023
• ICS 201 – Forms used for the Development of the Incident Action Plan, 2023
• Hazards Materials / WMD Incident Commander - National Fire Academy, Emmitsburg, MD, 2023
• ICS 300 – Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents for Operational First Responders, 2023
• ICS 400 – Advanced ICS for Command and General Staff – Complex Incidents and MAC for First Responders, 2023
• OUTEC – Online Universal Telecommunication Essentials Course v1.0, 2024
• International Association of Emergency Dispatchers – Emergency Medical Dispatcher, 2024
• International Association of Emergency Dispatchers – Emergency Fire Dispatcher, 2024
• Public Safety Tele communicator I & II, 2024

• International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Since 1994, Secretary/Treasurer, 2002-2013, Maintained membership roster, managed membership dues, and organization’s finances., President, 2013-2021, Led the organization by promoting issues that improve working conditions.
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• IAFF Redmond Health & Safety Symposium, Chicago, IL, 2007
• IAFF Redmond Health & Safety Symposium, New York City, NY, 2012
• Alabama Fire College - Fire Chief’s Executive Development Program, 2017
• FDIC Conference, Indianapolis, IN, 2017
• Firehouse EXPO, Nashville, TN, 2018
• IAFF ALTS - Affiliate Leadership Training Symposium, Los Angeles, CA, 2019
• Alabama Public Safety Leadership Academy - Alabama Fire College Year Long Program, 2020-21, Graduated 2021
• City of Tuscaloosa Emerging Leaders Program, 2024, Graduated 2024

• Participates in various Tuscaloosa Firefighter Local 403 Fund Raisers, MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association), DCH Cancer Center, Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama, American Heart Association, Habitat for Humanity, TFRS Smoke Alarm Blitz, Tuscaloosa’s Mayor’s Cup 5K for Pre-K (Multiple Years), Tuscaloosa Local 403 Cook Team (FIREHAWGS), Cooked for various events.

• BLS / CPR Instructor, 2001 - 2017, Co-Instructor with In-House Refresher courses.
• MSA SCBA In-Service Class, 2018, Lead Instructor for the MSA In-Service class.
• HAZ MAT Training Modules, 2023, Lead in coordinating, developing, and implementation of the HAZ MAT modules for continuing education.

• Fire Chief’s Exemplary Service Award, 2011, Recognition of extraordinary actions to promote a positive image of the Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue Service.
• Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue Service – Fire Fighter of the Year, 2011
• Tuscaloosa Exchange Club Fire Fighter of the Year, 2011
• VFW Post 6022 – VFW Emergency Services Gold Medal for Outstanding Firefighter of the Year, 2011
• City of Tuscaloosa Mayor’s Award for Outstanding Customer Service, 2012, Awarded for promoting the City of Tuscaloosa in a positive manner.
• Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue Service Unit Commendation, 2016, Hodo Haven Fire
• Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue Service Unit Commendation, 2021, Medical Emergency – MVA on Kauloosa Avenue
• City of Tuscaloosa Excellence Award, 2023, Nomination included the reason was as head of the SCBA program the work I have done to oversee the warranty of the MSA G1 SCBA.