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Highland firefighter recalls 24 years on the job, daily routines and community support during hardship
Summary
Marvin Vaughn, a Highland Fire Department firefighter since Feb. 25, 2000, described his daily routine in 2025—roll call, training, hydrant checks and shared meals—and credited local supporters who provided food vouchers and holiday gifts during a period of financial struggle.
Marvin Vaughn, a firefighter with the Highland Fire Department for more than 24 years, said his father urged him to become a firefighter and that he joined the department on Feb. 25, 2000. "My father said, I want you to become a fireman," Vaughn said. "And I've been with the city of Highland Park ever since 02/25/2000."
Vaughn described the department's day-to-day life in 2025, saying crews begin with roll call and chores, share meals and set aside time for training. "Typical day in 2025 is we have roll call, we do our chores, we have breakfast, make breakfast, then we do some type of training activity," he said, adding that cold weather prompts outdoor hydrant checks. He said that when there are no emergency calls, firefighters take downtime between meals and shifts.
He also listed basic safety equipment the department uses and promotes: "Have working smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire signatures...and the fire blanket," Vaughn said, describing part of routine safety emphasis when crews are not responding to calls.
Vaughn singled out acts of community support during a time of municipal financial difficulty. He said Valerie Johnson "used to go to Farmer Jack, get vouchers for us and everything, and make sure that we was able to feed our family." He also credited "mister Earl, godfather Wheeler of the city" for making sure firefighters' children received holiday presents "during that difficult time."
Vaughn's remarks are a first-person account of a longtime local firefighter's experiences and the role community members played in supporting crews and their families; he did not outline any formal departmental proposals or pending policy changes.
