Brentwood's Fire and Rescue Department has appointed Derek Hyde as its new deputy fire chief. Hyde, a veteran firefighter with more than 20 years of experience and a former battalion chief, takes over the position following the promotion of Brian Collins, who was named the city's fifth fire chief on Monday, as reported yesterday by Brentwood's official news page.
Collins expressed confidence in Hyde's capabilities, stating, "Chief Hyde has been a proven leader in our department, serving as a battalion chief while also guiding our organization through three consecutive international accreditation processes. Serving in this capacity has given Derek an in-depth knowledge of all aspects of Brentwood Fire and Rescue. His promotion to deputy chief is the next step in the execution of our succession plan, and I’m excited to watch him excel in this new capacity.” Hyde's ascension marks a continuity of experienced leadership within the department, which is critical for maintaining their high service standards, as noted by Brentwood's website.
Hyde climbed the ranks after joining the Brentwood squad in 2002, and was noted for his dedication in several department programs including hazardous materials and the technical rescue response teams, according to the city's news release, his background also includes his current role as the department’s accreditation manager and his work as an accreditation peer assessor for other fire departments.
Educationally, Hyde holds a Bachelor of Science in political science from Middle Tennessee State University and an Associate of Applied Science degree in fire science from Volunteer State Community College; additionally, he achieved his Fire Officer designation in 2016 and his Executive Fire Officer credential from the National Fire Academy in 2023.
