Russell has been a firefighter for over 30 years, currently serving as the Chief of Department in Ogunquit, Maine. Russell has been in the forefront of the fire service cancer epidemic since 2011 and was a key developer of the FCSN cancer prevention education program, Taking Action Against Cancer in the Fire Service, delivered across the nation. He is a member of the DetecTogether Fire Service Advisory board and, serves on several study panels focused on reducing cancer among firefighters. He presents to thousands of firefighters through large conferences to small firehouse talks.