Russell Fire Department

09/11/2026

09/03/2026

Update #2 - Party has been located and is safe. Thank you to all the public safety entities that assisted our department with this situation.

Uinpdate....multiple reports the individual may have been in the Route 23 Russell/Blandford Line walking west between 7-8am. May be wearing jeans and a hat.
Search is continuing.

Missing Person....

77 y.o. male Paul McMahon left the area of Birch Hill Rd near Moses Scout Camp ground Russell sometime after 3am and never returned. McMahon is 5'6" tall, 160lbs with smaller, thin build. Unknown direction of travel. No clothing description at this time. Subject does have cognitive issues. McMahon is not familiar with the area. If anyone should see, or come across Mr. McMahon. Please call 911 or our regional dispatch at 413-586- 1508. Thank you!

08/03/2026

Russell fire was a recipient of the 2026 DripDrop Hydration Giveback Campaign! Thank you and National Volunteer Fire Council for helping support first responder health and wellness. This will help keep us hydrated on all fronts for the department

07/21/2026

Water main break on Rte 20 near 400 Huntington Road. This will effect water service in the surrounding area and up to Cresent Mills area. We will post updates here.

07/19/2026

With heavy hearts we share the sudden passing of former Chief Niles LaValley. Thank you for your years of dedication to the town of Russell, city of Westfield and town of Dalton.

Our thoughts are with his friends and family in this heavy time of mourning. May you rest easy, we will take it from here brother.

Details for services will be provided once available.

07/15/2026

Public service announcement.

Smoke from wildfires in Canada will be prominent in the area most of this week. Please be mindful of this if you have respiratory issues.

07/12/2026

** press release statement **

Last night at approximately 10:27 pm on Saturday July 11th,2026 Russell fire was notified of a UTV accident with multiple injuries in the vicinity of the CSX tracks on Tekoa mountain. Two (2) patients were transported by two (2) life star air ambulance to Baystate medical center with serious but non life threatening injuries. Two (2) additional patients were transported by ground to Baystate. Mutual aid resources were called in to assist on scene as well as at landing zone. Due to the ongoing investigation and circumstances of the incident no further information is available at this time. We would like to extend our thanks to Hilltown community ambulance, Westfield Fire, Huntington Fire, Russell police, Massachusetts State Police for their assistance. Additional inquiries can be sent to [email protected]

Thank you,
Russell Fire chief
Derek Daudelin

07/08/2026

Monday night training. Firefighter dollhouse training uses a small model house to safely teach smoke and fire behavior. This helps them learn how to put out fires quickly and safely.