About Us
ABOUT US
About Emergency Services Ministries
Emergency Services Ministries (ESM) is a Christ-centered ministry dedicated to serving first responders and their families across the Western United States. Our calling is to walk with those who serve—firefighters, police officers, dispatchers, EMS personnel, and their families—through the pressures, challenges, and unseen burdens they carry. We offer prayer, encouragement, crisis support, and a steady presence grounded in the hope of Christ. A key part of our ministry is strengthening chaplaincy by supporting existing programs, helping agencies start new chaplain programs, and providing training for chaplains and responders. We also help create fellowship opportunities that build strong relationships, community, and spiritual growth. ESM operates under the covering of Evangelistic Missionary Fellowship (EMF) and partners with trusted ministries such as Firefighters for Christ and Rocky Mountain Police/Fire Chaplains. These partnerships allow us to serve with integrity, accountability, and shared purpose. At the heart of everything we do is a simple commitment: To be present. To be steady. To glorify God.
Meet Our Founder
Paul Russell Turning Pain into Purpose on the Front Lines
Paul Russell knows firsthand that the heaviest burdens are the ones we carry inside. Long before his career in the fire service, Paul faced a childhood marked by family illness and his own intense personal struggles with addiction. He understands what it means to be at rock bottom.
But nearly 40 years ago, a profound discovery of faith and the unwavering support of his wife sparked a life-altering transformation. Experiencing the reality of redemption and a hard-fought comeback, Paul decided he would turn his past pain into a purpose for others.
He dedicated his career to the fire service, stepping into the chaos to help people during their most desperate, vulnerable moments. Today, as a retired first responder, author, and volunteer fire chaplain, his mission remains unchanged. Paul founded Emergency Services Ministries to ensure that no first responder has to walk through their darkest chapters alone.
He lives and leads this ministry by the firm conviction that no life is too broken for repair, and that grace is a gift always sufficient to carry us through.
A Trusted Leader in Times of Crisis
The Impact of Paul Russell
Paul Russell doesn’t just talk about being a steady presence, he lives it on the front lines. Through his work as a volunteer chaplain, Paul has earned the deep trust of both fire service leadership and the families he serves.
Respected by Leadership The emotional and physical demands placed on first responders are extreme, and the need to support them is critical. Retired Assistant Chief Mike Berg, who served 35 years in the fire service, noted the severe toll the job takes, stating he has personally witnessed “seemingly countless divorces and fractured families, the death of at least three of my brothers from suicide”.
Coming from a secular viewpoint as an “admitted atheist,” Berg strongly advocates for Paul’s approach to chaplaincy. He notes that Paul proves himself time and again in unimaginable situations by treating everyone as an individual:
- “He is simply there when the need occurs, never forcing a personal perspective of preaching or biased faith or belief”.
- “He is an exceptional listener and a person that finds constructive answers”.
- Berg concluded by stating, “I can think of no better person to lead and integrate a program of this significance”.
A Lifeline for Families in the Darkest Hours
The true depth of Paul’s sacrificial service is seen in his work with families facing unimaginable tragedy. When Anchorage firefighter Ben Schultz suffered a traumatic brain injury after falling 95 feet during a training accident, his family was thrown into a sudden crisis in an unfamiliar city.
Ben’s father, Jeff Schultz, shared how Paul stepped in right away “He was there to let us know that someone cared, would be praying for Ben and us and was available if there was ANYTHING that we needed”. Jeff highlighted Paul’s tangible care through these experiences:
- “I asked him to find us an additional car seat at a thrift store for our granddaughter… He came back in an hour with a brand new, pink car seat for her”.
- “Paul invited my wife and I out to dinner… It was a great opportunity to honestly share our hearts of grief, fear and hurt with people we knew were ‘safe'”.
- To boost Ben’s morale during recovery, “Paul secured permission… and he took Ben in the evenings & weekends to visit the local firehouse on many occasions”.
- “When Ben’s wife told Ben she wanted a divorce, Paul made sure that he connected with Ben and took him out to talk”.
- “Paul has driven over 7 hours from Denver to Omaha to be with Ben this weekend. WHO does THAT?! An angel does that. And a VERY good friend”.
Jeff summarized Paul’s impact perfectly: “Paul Russell’s sacrificial service to our family helped us in countless ways… He is a Godsend to us”.
