Colbert County, Alabama (pop. 57,227) is protected by a combination system: career fire departments in Muscle Shoals and Sheffield, a combination department in the county seat of Tuscumbia, and 14 volunteer fire departments, including Cherokee and Leighton, that cover the rural rest of the county's 593 square miles of land along the Tennessee River. Muscle Shoals, the largest city, answers more than 2,200 calls a year from four stations. Colbert County 9-1-1 dispatches all fire and medical emergencies.
Non-emergency dispatch (Colbert County 9-1-1)
(256) 381-0911- Muscle Shoals Fire Department (office): (256) 386-9230
- Tuscumbia Fire Department: (256) 383-5757
- EMA / 9-1-1 administration: (256) 386-8558
- Colbert County 9-1-1, 91 Harcourt Morgan Way, Muscle Shoals, AL, USA
- colbert911.org (county 911 district)
Who Provides Fire Protection in Colbert County
- Muscle Shoals Fire Department — a career department with 33 state-certified firefighter-EMTs and officers on three 12-person shifts. It covers 12 square miles and about 17,200 residents from four stations and answers more than 2,200 calls a year.
- Sheffield Fire & Rescue — a career department with stations staffed 24 hours a day.
- Tuscumbia Fire Department — combination; one station in the county seat with 13 career, 8 part-time and 11 volunteer firefighters.
- Fourteen volunteer fire departments — covering the rural county and the towns of Cherokee, Leighton and Littleville.
Colbert County 9-1-1 dispatches the right department based on your address.
Fire Departments in Colbert County
| Department | Type | Main station | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muscle Shoals Fire Department | Career (4 stations) | 1002 E. Avalon Ave, Muscle Shoals, AL 35661 | (256) 386-9230 |
| Sheffield Fire & Rescue | Career (2–3 stations) | 601 E. 2nd St, Sheffield, AL 35660 | (256) 386-5621 |
| Tuscumbia Fire Department | Combination | 218 S. Dickson St, Tuscumbia, AL 35674 | (256) 383-5757 |
| Barton VFD | Volunteer | 865 Water St, Cherokee, AL 35616 | (256) 370-7584 |
| Brick-Hatton VFD | Volunteer (2 stations) | 9855 2nd St, Leighton, AL 35646 | (256) 446-5221 |
| Cherokee VFD | Volunteer (3 stations) | 1455 6th St, Cherokee, AL 35616 | (256) 359-4462 |
| Colbert Heights VFD | Volunteer | 2225 County Farm Rd, Tuscumbia, AL 35674 | (256) 386-7230 |
| Highway 247 VFD | Volunteer | 4655 Hwy 247, Tuscumbia, AL 35674 | (256) 370-7484 |
| LaGrange VFD | Volunteer | 7625 LaGrange Rd, Leighton, AL 35646 | (256) 446-0003 |
| Leighton VFD | Volunteer | 2225 Railroad St, Leighton, AL 35646 | (256) 446-6589 |
| Littleville VFD | Volunteer | 1745 Bailey Ln, Russellville, AL | (256) 332-9316 |
| Locust Shores VFD | Volunteer (2 stations) | 3905 Old Memphis Pike, Tuscumbia, AL 35674 | (256) 383-4465 |
| New Bethel VFD | Volunteer | 190 New Bethel Rd, Russellville, AL 35653 | (256) 383-6143 |
| Nitrate City VFD | Volunteer | 1340 Alabama Ave, Muscle Shoals, AL 35661 | (256) 446-9022 |
| Riverton Rose Trail VFD | Volunteer | 9393 Riverton Rose Trail, Cherokee, AL 35616 | (256) 360-2777 |
| Spring Valley VFD | Volunteer (2 stations) | 860 LaGrange Rd, Tuscumbia, AL 35674 | (256) 386-0005 |
| White Oak VFD | Volunteer | 5615 County Line Rd, Leighton, AL 35646 | (256) 446-0040 |
Volunteer stations are not always staffed; call 911 or (256) 381-0911, not a station.
Estimated Response Time
Six career stations share about 19 square miles in Muscle Shoals and Sheffield (average radius roughly 1.0 mile); Tuscumbia's one station covers about 9 (1.7 miles). The other ~565 square miles, at about 38 residents per square mile, rely on some 19 volunteer stations (3.1 miles).
| Radius | Cities (career) | Tuscumbia (combination) | Rural county (volunteer) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ≤ 1.5 mi | 4–6 min | 5–8 min | 8–12 min |
| 1.5–3 mi | 6–8 min | 7–10 min | 10–14 min |
| 3–6 mi | 8–11 min | 9–13 min | 12–18 min |
| > 6 mi | 11+ min | 13+ min | 18+ min |
Typical expectation: 4–6 minutes in Muscle Shoals and Sheffield, 7–10 in Tuscumbia, 12–18 in most rural areas.
Estimated Fire Control Time
| Fire size | Example | Indicative time |
|---|---|---|
| Small | Grass patch, dumpster, small vehicle | 5–20 min |
| Medium | Room-and-contents, car fully involved | 15–45 min |
| Large | Whole house, commercial unit | 45–120 min |
| Major | Multi-alarm, industrial, large woodland fire | 2–12+ hours |
Rural roads often lack hydrants, so water comes by tanker: at an August 2026 house fire, five volunteer departments used over 20,000 gallons. The Tennessee River (Wilson Dam) forms the northern edge; woodland fires are fought with the Alabama Forestry Commission.
Apparatus & Equipment
- Tuscumbia FD engines (1988–2003)
- 3
- Tuscumbia FD rescue (2008 H3)
- 1
Other departments do not publish fleet lists.
- EMT first response
- Hazmat
- Water rescue & recovery
- Vehicle extrication
Ratings & Accreditation
ISO Public Protection Classification ratings are not published for Colbert County's departments.
Outdoor burning: In Muscle Shoals, get a same-day permit from Fire Station 1, (256) 386-9231 (Mon–Fri 8:00–14:00). Elsewhere, burns over ¼ acre need an Alabama Forestry Commission permit, (800) 392-5679; drought no-burn orders may apply.
Neighboring Counties
- Lauderdale County, AL (north, across the Tennessee River)
- Lawrence County, AL (southeast)
- Franklin County, AL (south)
- Tishomingo County, MS (west)
FAQ
What is the non-emergency number for fire in Colbert County?
Call Colbert County 9-1-1 at (256) 381-0911. For emergencies, always call 911.
Who fights fires outside the cities?
Fourteen volunteer fire departments, listed above.
How many stations does Muscle Shoals have?
Four, including one at the regional airport, with 33 career firefighter-EMTs.
How fast does the fire department respond in Colbert County?
About 4–6 minutes in Muscle Shoals and Sheffield, 7–10 minutes in Tuscumbia, and 12–18 minutes in most rural areas.
Do I need a burn permit in Colbert County?
In Muscle Shoals, call (256) 386-9231. Elsewhere, burns over ¼ acre need an AFC permit: (800) 392-5679.
Last verified:
- City of Muscle Shoals — Fire Department (staff, stations, permits)
- City of Tuscumbia — Fire Department (personnel, fleet)
- Colbert County 9-1-1 (phones, address; EMA admin line)
- AFC — Volunteer Fire Department list (Aug 2025)
- AFC — Burn Permits
- RadioReference — Colbert County (AL) (2016)
- NERIS registry (station counts)
- Grace's List — Sheffield Fire Department (phone, staffing)
- WAFF — Colbert County house fire (2026)
- Wikipedia — Colbert County, Sheffield, Tuscumbia