After 32 years working for CFA, District 17 Operations Manager Dale Russell is retiring.
Dale's service to CFA will be celebrated at Horsham Town Hall on Friday 27 April 2018.
Dale joined CFA as a volunteer with Shepparton Fire Brigade in 1985 before commencing his career with CFA in 1986. He undertook the Recruit Course at Fiskville in August 1986 and was appointed Fire Officer L2 at District 7 in April 1988. Dale completed a three-month secondment in District 17 from May 1996 before taking on the role of Area Training Manager in August 1996. Dale become Operations Manager District 17 in November 1998.
From the moment he started work in District 17, Dale quickly established himself as a local and set about providing integral support, leadership and guidance to not only the members, brigades and groups of District 17 but also the district staff and the wider West Region.
During his 32 year of service in CFA, Dale has had several leadership roles within CFA including but not limited to Area Training Manager, Operations Manager, Operations Manager - Regional Commander, and Acting Assistant Chief Officer. He has never sought personal reward for his service.
Dale has been integral in the development of the Voluntary Grain Harvesting Guide - a joint Victorian Farmers Federation and CFA initiative. This joint agreement has been highly successful.
During his time a CFA, Dale has also been a member of the State Equipment and Infrastructure Committee, State Field Training Group Committee, and the State Mapping Committee. He has also relieved in Districts 11, 6, 14 and 12.
Dale is one of very few Level 3 Incident Controllers in the Wimmera and has repeatedly fulfilled this role throughout each fire season. As a Level 3 Incident Controller, Dale has been fundamental in ensuring an integrated agency approach to emergency management has been achieved. He has performed key roles during many major incidents including the Black Saturday Remlaw Road fire in 2009, Grampians Victoria Valley fire in 2013, and the Northern Grampians fires in 2014.
Dale is also a very active member of the Horsham and district community. Dale is an inaugural member of the Blue Ribbon Foundation Horsham Branch and is currently the Vice President. This Foundation holds a number of community events and fundraisers each year. Funds raised have gone to assist the Wimmera Base Hospital Accident and Emergency Ward.
Dale is a life member and former president of the Natimuk Field and Game Club. Through his involvement in the Field and Game Club he has assisted to organise the District 17 Field and Game Claybird Shoot which has raised significant funds for the Alfred Hospital Burns Unit.
Dale is well respected not only in CFA but also by the wider Wimmera community.