Live Dispatch:

News

Inside the Station - Member Spotlight

Thursday, October 21, 2021

Phillip R. (Phil) Russum was selected as the September “Inside the Fire Station – Member Spotlight” to be profiled. As a long-time firefighter and retired law enforcement officer, Phil is known far and wide across the county and the region in general. He has an easy-going, jovial manner that instantly puts people at ease. From the first introduction, he makes people feel as though they’ve known him for years.

 

Phil is a long-time Life Member, having joined the fire company in 1972. On the operations side, Phil started as a Firefighter. Progressively, he promoted through the ranks where he’s also served as an Engineer (our vernacular for a Driver/Pump Operator), Captain, Assistant Chief, and Deputy Chief. The Deputy Chief is the appointed second-in-command of the operational side, second only to the Fire Chief. On the administrative side of our organization, Phil has served multiple one-year terms as a Vice President, and in other years, as the Assistant Secretary. Currently, he is serving a term on our Board of Directors.

 

Phil is an accomplished storyteller, with the knack for telling funny, interesting stories about fires, crashes, and fire company related activities from days and years gone by. Because of his lengthy and diverse experience, his litany of stories seems to be endless. When telling stories, his style of delivery holds the audience spellbound, hanging on the next word, all the while making you laugh. To get him started, he only needs to be with others of similar longevity in the fire service, such as this writer.

 

Phil is a life-long resident of Chestertown. He lives in the Crestview development, just north of Chestertown, with his wife Mary Etta. They have two grown children, Jennifer Russum and Brad Russum. Brad is currently serving as our Deputy Chief. Phil and Mary Etta have four grandchildren, Silas, Gabby Ryland and Reagan.

 

Many may remember Phil was a long-time deputy with the Kent County Sheriffs Office. He retired just a few years ago. After retirement, he served a brief term as the Liquor & Tobacco Inspector for Kent County. He now works at Washington College as a Public Safety Officer. He also works part-time for a local driving school, where he takes student drivers out to get their requisite road experience, prior to receiving their driving school certificate.

 

When not busy working or volunteering with the fire company, Phil relaxes by solving crossword puzzles and listening to music. One activity that brings him joy and satisfaction is the occasional road trip. He enjoys traveling around, finding it difficult… if not impossible, to pass a fire station without stopping in. Phil enjoys looking at the fire apparatus and talking with the personnel that happen to be on hand.

 

Please join us in recognizing Phil for nearly 50 years of continuous service with the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company.

 


Views: 15
Views: 19
Views: 16
Views: 16

Recent Calls

Incident statistics

Jan - 48 Jul - 0
Feb - 45 Aug - 0
Mar - 0 Sep - 0
Apr - 0 Oct - 0
May - 0 Nov - 0
Jun - 0 Dec - 0
Yearly Totals:
2024 - 93 2023 - 592
2022 - 658 2021 - 577

Current Weather