Madison Fire and Rescue names Tyler Drew as ‘2026 Firefighter of the Year’

MADISON – Tyler Drew never really had to choose a career path. He was destined to work in fire service. Drew has earned the honor of “2026 Firefighter of the Year.”

Drew has served for seven years with Madison Fire and Rescue Department. He accepted the award at Madison City Council’s meeting on Jan. 12. Family members accompanied him during the award presentation.

Any member of Madison Fire and Rescue organization can nominate an individual. At the end of the year, the command staff chooses the Firefighter of the Year.

“My dad was a firefighter for the City of Chicago and actually retired before I was born. Even after he retired, I grew up in firehouses. We would visit firehouses around the country. In essence, it was pretty much a foregone conclusion that I would work in the fire service,” Drew said.

“Unfortunately, my dad passed away from cancer in June 2016. I was hired by the City of Madison the following February,” Drew said. “Even though I grew up around the fire service, there were so many things I wish I could have talked to my dad about at various stages of my training.”

“To this day, that remains difficult. We often respond to complex or unique calls that I know my dad would have been able to relate to,” Drew said.

Drew started working for the Madison department in February 2018 at the rank of firefighter. A few years later, he earned a paramedic license and enrolled in every technical rescue class that Alabama Fire College offers.

Drew is a member of Alabama Task Force 3, the regional Urban Search & Rescue Team that can deploy anywhere on request. The team’s capabilities include swift water, trench, structural collapse, wilderness, confined space and rope rescue.

Currently, Drew works as a Driver- Paramedic at Station 4 on C shift. He’s also affiliated with Madison Fire’s training group with members in various ranks who prepares new hires to transition to shift after recruit school and trains shift personnel at the department training center.

Originally from St. Petersburg, Fla., Drew moved to Alabama in 2005. He graduated from Sparkman High School and Calhoun Community College.

“My career in public safety led me to meet my beautiful wife, Gabby. She is a trauma Registered Nurse at Huntsville Hospital. We’ve been married for three years,” he said.

Away from work, the fire department is still a part of his life. He is Training Captain for Moores Mill Volunteer Fire Department (where he lives) and Training Coordinator for the Madison County Association of Volunteer Fire Departments.

“The fire service has never felt like a ‘job’ to me. I love coming to work every shift,” Drew said.

“I appreciate the traditions of the fire service, and I enjoy spending time with my crew,” he said. “Sitting around the bay or kitchen table, drinking coffee and discussing the job are my favorite parts of my shift (besides running calls),” he said.

“It is a privilege to serve the citizens of Madison every day!” Drew said.