Russellville Fire Chief Joe Mansell, center, rescinded his retirement request, and the city council voted Tuesday afternoon to keep Mansell on as fire chief. [FILE/DAN BUSEY/TIMESDAILY]
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Russellville fire chief rescinds his retirement request
RUSSELLVILLE — Joe Mansell is back as fire chief of the city’s fire department following the action of the city council after Mansell asked the council to rescind his request for retirement during a special-called meeting Tuesday afternoon.
Mansell, who had been chief of the department since 2002, was set to retire at the end of this month with deputy chief Randy Seal set to take over as chief.
After an executive session in which Mansell reportedly was asked to join, the council returned and unanimously voted to accept Mansell’s request to rescind his retirement as well as rescind Seal’s appointment to fire chief.
Councilman Darren Woodruff reportedly made the motion to approve Mansell’s request to rescind his retirement date and it was reportedly seconded by Jamie Harris.
Woodruff confirmed Mansell had asked to rescind his retirement date.
When the TimesDaily asked why Woodruff would rescind his retirement date, Woodruff said, “I have no comment.”
Mansell became a paid firefighter in Russellville in 1992 after serving as a volunteer firefighter. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1998 and fire chief four years later.
