Bloomfield News Blog

Friday, December 11, 2009
By Timberly Ferree Staff Writer
Greene County Daily World

Submitted photo Larry Russell of Lyons, who spent 36 years as a volunteer fire fighter, has retired. Russell was presented a plaque by Lyons Town Council President Scott Powers earlier this week.

The days of fighting fires are over for one Lyons man — who has spent 36 years as a volunteer firefighter.

Larry Russell, a life-long Lyons resident, also spent 23 of those years as fire chief in his hometown.

“In a small community it takes a lot. You don’t have that many people that want to be on the department, but you have some,” he explained. “It’s just something that once you get started … it stays in your blood.”

Currently, there are 15 members of the Lyons Volunteer Fire Department — which includes Chief Teddy York who was elected to be Russell’s replacement.

But being a firefighter has its ups and downs, Russell noted.

“It’s hard when somebody loses their property or you go to an accident when somebody has lost their life,” he stressed.

The upside comes when you’re able to help save someone’s property, he added.

Firefighting has changed a lot over the years.

“When I first got into it, you worked together … now Homeland Security’s got into it. Now, there’s a lot of things you have to do,” Russell said.

You must have a certain amount of schooling and it also involves a lot of paperwork, if you’re chief.

“The worst part of it is the law … there’s always something new all the time that they want you to do,” he explained.

But, Russell also realizes that funding comes from places like Homeland Security.

Currently, the Lyons Volunteer Fire Department is in need of a pumper truck.

“They (department) had put in (a grant application) for another truck. We have got a new tanker through a grant. It’s a nice one. But, we have an older truck … our second truck is a ‘68,” he explained. “We were also fortunate to get a grant for a new fire station.”

The new fire station was constructed about two years ago, he noted.

“It (new station) helped out tremendously … we’ve got a lot more room. We have a kitchen, handicap facilities for restrooms. … It’s just 100 percent better,” Russell said.

When it’s all said and done, he’s still going to miss firefighting.

“Oh yeah, in some aspects I will miss it,” he added.

The Lyons Town Council honored Russell for his 36 years of commitment to the volunteer fire department by presenting him with a plaque on Tuesday.