RUSSELL — Sometimes, Santa’s red nose and flushed cheeks are not strictly the result of bitter winds as he rides high atop a Russell fire truck on Christmas Eve.

Many residents along Santa’s route through the village and other parts of Russell Twp. are concerned that he might catch a chill and offer him beverages with an ability to “warm you from the inside,” says firefighter Dave Scott.

Scott recently wrote a brief history in honour of the 30th anniversary of Russell’s Santa Express, one of a few such traditions in North America. The Russell Fire Department is looking for photos and anecdotes to round out that history over the years.

Thanks to several of Santa’s little helpers, this year’s Express will come together as usual early on Dec. 24 at the village fire hall, before taking to the roads to cover the territory over the course of three hours before the youngest members of the family are put to bed for the night.

To get the assignment completed on schedule, two trucks actually go out, one with Santa aboard and another carrying a helper dressed for the occasion like the Big Guy himself.

Too generous

Unfortunately, Scott says, in some years the “overgenerous” concern shown by residents has resulted in “poor Santa not being as steady as he should be on top of the truck.”

That’s not all that can go wrong when escorting the “chubby Christmas elf” around the township, perched precariously in a sleigh on top of the truck in winter weather.

There was the time, he recalls, that freezing rain dropped hydro lines a little low over the streets. One of them clotheslined an unsuspecting Santa, who ended up “floundering around on his back like an overturned turtle.”

Another time, the truck broke down en route. To the astonishment of passing motorists, Santa himself hopped down and directed traffic.

Last year, just as the Express was about to hit the road, firefighters’ pagers went off.

It was one for the books, Scott says, with a fire truck speeding to the scene of what turned out to be a vehicular collision with a sleigh strapped to the top and Christmas lights dangling from all sides.

The most asked question about the Express is what would happen if a fire broke out during the event?

Fully trained

That’s easy, Scott explains. As Santa has been fully trained by the fire department, he’d simply respond with the rest of the firefighters. Considering seniority, he might even take command of the scene.

The Express is the department’s second big event of the season. Earlier this month, it partnered with the Lions Club to save the Russell Village Christmas Parade.

The two groups joined forces after it appeared there might not be a parade this year due to the demise of the Russell Chamber of Commerce, which had organized it in the past.

With the parade mission completed, the department is looking forward to Christmas Eve when Santa will return to Russell to ride in style.

With sirens wailing and lights flashing, Santa will wave as he goes to all the good boys and girls watching from windows or from the end of laneways.

Many are surprised when Santa calls them or their parents by name.

Nobody will be busier than Chief Bruce Armstrong in co-ordinating the Express and his wife Joanne in dispatching, letting Santa know how he’s doing for time and whether there are any special visits coming up along the route, such as sick children or birthdays.

The Armstrongs got a head start on the parade organizing committee where they were able to discuss Christmas Eve plans first-hand with Santa.

Research done by Capt. Duane Bourguignon has shown that, while some other North American fire departments are now doing similar Christmas Eve Santa runs, it remains a rarity and Russell was likely the originator.

Positive feedback

Bourguignon says the department receives nothing but positive feedback from the Santa Express, which creates lasting memories for Russell children of all ages.

“Just seeing the kids and families lining the streets waiting to say hello is all the incentive needed to keep this tradition alive,” Scott adds.

“For many residents, Christmas Eve has to be marked in Russell because the Santa Express makes it official.”