AUBURN - Darwin McCollum was introduced at Monday’s city council meeting as the new Auburn fire chief.

He came from Trenton, Mo., and went to work at Magnolia Metal shortly after earning his degree from Peru State College. McCollum is a 12-year member of the volunteer fire department.

 McCollum: “Working with the community, helping the community, it’s a family. The fire department and the rescue squad has become part of my family.”

 

McCollum was nominated by the general membership of the department and elected to succeed Vaughn Severs as fire chief.

He said he is optimistic about what’s ahead for the fire department.

McCollum: “We’re just going to keep on going with the future of firefighting and the mix of our veterans and our younger crowd, men and women, meshing together to work together with the community.”

The department, which covers an area of 75 square miles, has about 40 volunteers.