Russell joined the fire service in 2003 after a six year adventure in the World's Greatest Navy. He currently serves as a Sergeant for the Atlanta Fire/Rescue Department, assigned to a Truck Company in Southeast Atlanta. Throughout his fire service career, he has worked in volunteer, combination, small town, and large urban departments. In 2007, he graduated from the Georgia Smoke Diver program where he now participates as a Lead Instructor. Since 2013, he has had the honor and privilege of being selected to teach annually at FDIC.