Deputy Fire Chief Announces Retirement

Wednesday, February 5th, 2025

Deputy Fire Chief Mike Russell has announced that he will retire from the Dalton Fire Department in March after more than 32 years with the agency. His firefighting career has spanned more than 40 years, serving first as a volunteer Whitfield County firefighter and as an emergency medical technician before joining the DFD. 

Russell joined the Dalton Fire Department in 1992 after a ten-year career as a volunteer firefighter. Russell held all of the ranks in the Suppression Division during his career, rising to the rank of battalion chief in 2009 and supervising C-shift for nine years. He was promoted to deputy fire chief in 2019. He also served as the department's interim chief in 2023 after Todd Pangle moved to City Hall as the assistant city administrator.

Caption: Deputy Fire Chief Mike Russell

"Deputy Chief Russell has been a cornerstone of this fire department, dedicating countless years of service ensuring the safety and well-being of our community,' Fire Chief Matt Daniel said. "His unwavering commitment, exceptional leadership, and vision have shaped the direction of our department. He has truly exemplified what it means to serve with honor."  

"I'm happy for him, he's dedicated his life to public service and it's his time," Chief Daniel added. "I just hate to see him go." 

Russell's dedication to the fire service has extended beyond the borders of Whitfield County. He graduated from Georgia Smoke Diver Class #18 in 1986 and has since served as an instructor for the program. He currently serves as an elder for the program overseeing the organization. He also is a structural fire control instructor and assists each year with hands-on training courses for the Fire Department Instructors Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

"Chief Russell's reputation for excellence extends far beyond our state’s borders, as he has shared his expertise and dedication through countless training initiatives where he served as an instructor, mentoring and inspiring others," Todd Pangle said. "His absence will undoubtedly be felt, but I sincerely wish Chief Russell all the best in his future endeavors."

"I've been here 32 years and it's time for new eyes and new people to take over and keep moving the fire department forward," Russell said. "I'll miss the guys at work and just the brotherhood and sisterhood of the firefighters here at the department. I'll miss seeing everybody every day." 

Russell announced his plans to retire in January and he will continue working until March 14th.