MICHAEL RUSSELL

WHEELING — Michael Russell likes it hot and sunny — and maybe that is why the Wheeling native is now the fire chief in balmy Cape Coral, Florida.

Russell has worked for 22 years for the Cape Coral Fire Department, and was appointed chief in April 2025.

The city has a population of about 230,000, and there are about 315 employees in the department including both firefighters and civilian personnel.

On a chilly and gray January day in the Ohio Valley, Russell reported it was 80 degrees and sunny in Cape Coral.

He explained what led him to the community.

“I was just young and looking for something new,” Russell said. “I knew the firefighter market was healthy down here, especially at that time. There was a big boom here and people were moving to Florida for job openings. I took a shot and wanted to do something different.”

Russell was a student at Wheeling Central Catholic High School when his father — current Ohio County Administrator Randy Russell — served as mayor of Clearview.

“He got me involved in the junior firefighting program — probably to keep me on the good track in life,” Russell said. “I enjoyed the experience, and kind of fell in love with it.

“I then went on to paramedic school. That was kind of the impetus for me to want to be a paramedic.”

After this, he spent time working for the Brooke County EMS before heading to Florida.

Along the way he obtained degrees in fire science technology and public safety administration from Edison State College and a Master’s in Administration from Barry University. He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program and has a chief fire officer designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

“The profession itself is amazing because you get the opportunity to help people when they need it most,” Russell said. “Most of these people you’ve never met. They’re just strangers who depend on you.

“That sense of pride in what you do for work is valuable.”

He acknowledged there is also tragedy “that you have to deal with” as a firefighter and paramedic.

“Drowning is one of the leading causes of death among children in Florida,” Russell said. “Unfortunately, you see that. You see all a person’s worldly possessions burn up in houses, and often they’ve lost family members.

“There’s certainly the sad side of it. But there’s also the positive side that you’re there to make a difference. Hopefully, they remember the effort you put into making their bad day better.”

There’s the occasional hurricane that strikes the Cape Coral area. In 2022, Hurricane Ian hit the city.

“Hurricane Ian was very bad for our area,” Russell said. “There was a lot of devastation around us and our community. I know people who still haven’t got their roofs back on and are dealing with the insurance company.”

Not only does the weather provide some challenges in Cape Coral, but it is also completely surrounded by water, according to Russell.

“We do see a lot of water emergencies and drowning,” he explained. “Cape Coral is unique in that it has more than 400 miles of canals. That is more than the city of Venice, Italy.

“It is almost like a street network of canals. This obviously provides us some challenges, whether it is a boat accident or a boat fire. We do see some cars that dive into those canals every year.”

As a first responder, there have been times when he has had to dive into the canals at night. Floridians always assume there are alligators in the canals, according to Russell.

He admits to missing the Ohio Valley.

“The people are genuine and amazing,” he said. “It’s a great place to live, work and play. I still have a lot of family and friends there. Oglebay was cool.

“There are a lot of good things about the area that I miss – pepperoni rolls, good pizza.”

Russell also credits his alma mater Wheeling Central for playing a role in sparking his desire for public service.

He sees himself as someday being a “snowbird” who splits time between Florida and the Ohio Valley. He is married to wife Kelly, who is a native of Toronto, Ohio. His daughter Sydney is 15 and son Max is 14.

“I do miss the seasons, and I do have a desire to move back somewhere,” Russell said. “My kids are younger, still, and I have to wait and see what they do with college. There’s a timing piece with that.”

He expects Max might follow his footsteps into firefighting as he has already shown an interest in the profession. Sydney, meanwhile, is leaning toward a career in law enforcement, according to her father.

“My wife is a nurse, so I think they get it from both sides when it comes to giving back to your community,” Russell said.

He noted the family is due for a trip to Wheeling.

“My son wants to come hunting with Pap, so I think that’s in the plans for next fall,” Russell said. “I’ve got a bin in my closet full of cold weather stuff I have to pull out every time I travel.”