Ready for Anything
Russel Stukey returning to Coffey County for head emergency job
By Brandy Nance
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Russel Stukey, Emporia firefighter and president of the Emporia Association of Firefighters Local 818, is starting a new adventure in his life as he leaves his duties in Emporia to become the emergency management coordinator for Coffey County.
Stukey, who has been with the Emporia Fire Department since October of 1994, is picking up and moving to Burlington with his wife, Jennifer, and three children, Anne, Rachel and Kent.
The position in Coffey County drew Stukey in for a couple of different reasons, Stukey said. He grew up in Coffey County and much of his family is in the area. On his days off, he helps his family farm there. The position itself also was attractive.
“It just looked pretty interesting,” he said. “It looked like a good opportunity to advance.”
Firefighting has been a passion of Stukey’s since he was a teenager, he said. His father was a volunteer firefighter and Stukey attended the volunteer firefighter meetings. By his junior and senior years in high school, he knew what he wanted to do. After graduation from high school, he attended Hutchinson Community College, where he got his degree in fire science in 1994. Following graduation, he came to work for Emporia Fire Department. Looking back, it has been a rewarding career, he said.
“I’ve been able to help people who are really in need,” he said.
Stukey said he’s also enjoyed working with the other firefighters and the camaraderie that comes with that.
“I’ve learned a lot working with the Emporia Fire Department,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed my time here. What I’ll miss most is working with the guys and the camaraderie ... the friends.”
In his new position Stukey will have a variety of responsibilities. He will be responsible for coordinating storm spotter programs, Wolf Creek emergency planning, maintaining the 911 database and maintaining county communications. He also will be involved with all aspects of emergency services for the county, and he will have significant input on emergency planning, animal and plant disease outbreaks and food-borne illnesses. He’ll also be the number one contact for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“The variety will keep it interesting,” Stukey said.
Stukey said his new job will be more conducive to family life. Unless there’s an emergency, he’ll work a standard 40-hour week instead of 24-hour shifts at the fire department.
While Stukey will be settled into another county, he will be back from time to time.
“I’ll still be around,” he said. “I’ll be here at least once a year to do Wolf Creek training.”