There was something even more exciting than video of tornadoes during National Weather Service Spotter Training in Russell Tuesday night.

Recently retired Russell Fire Chief Sam Schmidt was honored as the 2013 Emergency Worker/Volunteer of the Year.

The annual award is made by the Russell/Ellsworth County Emergency Management and the Russell 911 Communications Advisory Board.

Schmidt started as a Russell  volunteer firefighter in 1982 and retired as chief earlier this month. 

He’s also served as Secretary of the District 2 Fire Chiefs Association since its inception and has been a committee chairperson for the Kansas State Firefighters Association.