Dalton Fire Department Battalion Chief Mike Russell has been a firefighter since 1984 when he began as a volunteer with the Whitfield County Fire Department, and while the technology and tactics have changed over the years, the mission hasn’t.

“I still like going to calls and taking care of the public and serving the citizens of this town,” Russell said. “It’s a great job and we are just here to serve.”

Soon, Russell will be taking on another challenge, moving up in rank to deputy chief. Russell was confirmed Tuesday by the members of the Dalton Public Safety Commission and will assume the new position when current Deputy Chief Ricky Busby retires in May.

“He (Russell) brings a lot of experience in the operations side of things, which is what the deputy chief does,” said Chief Todd Pangle. “He brings a lot of experience and professionalism and respect from all of the members of the fire department.”

Russell has been with the Dalton department since September of 1992 and has held most ranks in the department, according to Pangle.

“Chief Russell is one of the leading members of the Georgia Smoke Diver Association and plays a very vital role in the success of the program,” Pangle said in making his recommendation to the commission members. “During his time in the fire service Chief Russell has become highly respected by all that have worked with him, as well as within our own agency.”

Russell said the department is in fine shape, and he will be concentrating on working to improve the department’s rating by the Insurance Services Office. ISO ratings are used by insurance companies to set insurance rates.

“I just want to make things better and keep the department moving forward,” Russell said. “We are hoping to move to a Class 1 ISO rating in June and we are hoping to move up from Class 2.”

The commission voted 3-0 to approve the promotion with Chairman William B. Weaver, Terry Mathis and Anthony Walker present. Members Keith Whitworth and Kenneth Willis were not in attendance.

Award of Merit

Also on Tuesday, the commission approved three promotions in the police department, and a police officer was honored with the police department’s Award of Merit.

Officer Richard Cook was recognized after he disarmed a passenger who had a concealed handgun during a traffic stop when he was assisting another officer on Jan. 1. Police Chief Cliff Cason said in his commendation letter, “The actions you took to quickly disarm the suspect prevented serious injury to the suspect and the officers on scene. Your actions and performance reflect positively on you and the entire department.”

Promotions

The commission unanimously approved the promotions of Capt. Shaun Scott, Lt. Jason Thompson and Sgt. Chris McDonald.

Scott has served the Dalton Police Department since June of 2000, steadily rising through the ranks from patrol officer to captain. He earned his promotion to lieutenant in 2015 and served as a shift lieutenant and district commander before taking over as the patrol division’s operations supervisor in November of 2018. During his time with the police department, Scott has earned 20 letters of commendation as well as being honored as the Officer of the Month in June of 2007 and receiving the department’s Innovation In Police Service Award in December of 2016. He is a graduate of Dalton State College and is pursuing a master’s degree at Columbus State University. Scott will now move into the support services division and coordinate planning and research as well as accreditation.

Thompson first joined the Dalton Police Department in August of 2002 and served for a year before joining the U.S. Marshals Service. He returned to the DPD in August of 2004 and served as a patrol officer until becoming a detective with the drug unit in 2010. He was promoted to sergeant in July of 2015 and has served as a supervisor in the patrol division since then. He twice was honored as the Officer of the Month, in December of 2009 and July of 2013, and was named Officer of the Year in 2013. He has received 14 letters of commendation. He is a graduate of Jacksonville State University. He will now serve as a shift lieutenant in patrol.

McDonald joined the Dalton Police Department in 1997. He has served in a variety of capacities, including as the department’s recruiting officer and public information officer, riding with the department’s bike unit, and most recently serving the past three years as the department’s training coordinator. McDonald has earned 14 letters of commendation and received the Dalton Rotary Club’s Vocational Service Award. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia.