42-Year Broomall Fire Co. Member Remembered

BROOMALL–A longtime member of the died last Monday morning.

Russell Maust, 65, succumbed to lung disease, Chief Tom Murray told the Board of Commissioners during a commissioners meeting on June 11.

“He was a driving force in the fire company for many, many years,” Murray said during an interview with Patch. Murray, also a member of the Broomall Fire Co., served alongside Maust as a firefighter for many years.

Maust, who has been a Broomall Fire Co. member for the past 42 years, formerly served as the company’s chief engineer, Murray said.

According to Broomall Fire Co.'s Public Information Officer Tony Cavarocchi,  Maust joined the Broomall Fire Co. on October 12, 1970. He attended basic and advanced fire school at the Broomall Fire station in the spring and summer of 1971.

After completing fire school, Maust became and engineer and attended pump school. Maust found his niche in the fire company in engineering and by 1973 he was appointed as the chief engineer, a position he held for 17 years, according to Cavarocchi.

As chief engineer, Maust was responsible for the readiness of the apparatus and equipment. During his tenure, Maust was responsible for the specifications of several of the fire company's newer apparatuses and had a knack for designing an apparatus with high-volume water supply capability, according to Cavarocchi.

In addition to his duties, on the operations side of the Broomall Fire Co., Maust also served as treasurer from 1998 to 2009 and he served on the Board from 1989 to 1992.

Maust was also the treasurer of the Relief Association for many years and was very actively involved with the annual . Maust was a life member of the Broomall Fire Co. and was the Fireman of the Year in 1973. 

Maust was born in February of 1947 and married to his wife Maddy in 1973.