When John Lankford came to Auburn in 1991 to study agricultural business and economics, he was not planning on building his career within the Auburn Fire Division.
“I went to school here,” Lankford said. “I loved it and never wanted to leave. I’ve just wanted to continue to make Auburn a better place.”
Before coming to Auburn to receive his bachelor’s degree, Lankford had his fair share of moving up and down the East and West coasts.
Lankford lived in eight or nine different cities before he reached the age of 15, spending many of those years on the coast in California.
While growing up, he was always interested in fire service, which led him to begin volunteering at the Southwest Lee County Fire Department when he came to Auburn, he said.
“Volunteering really piqued my interest in joining the Auburn fire department as a student in 1994,” Lankford said.
Since he first began his fire career as a student, Lankford has taught as an instructor at the Alabama State Fire College, worked with Columbus Fire and EMS, and he served as Auburn Fire Division’s deputy chief for a year before taking the position of Fire Division chief.
On weekends, Lankford enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters and uses any chance he can get to go fishing or hunting.
Auburn Mayor Bill Ham said that he has known Lankford since he first became a student fire fighter at the Auburn Fire Department.
“John is a very dedicated public servant,” Ham said. “He’s a hands-on kind of guy who is very involved. It is easy to tell that he is well-liked by everyone in the Fire Division.”
As chief, Lankford deals with administrative duties throughout the day.
“I typically look at new buildings and construction plans for projects happening downtown and on campus,” Lankford said.
Lankford is not only responsible for the fire safety throughout the City of Auburn, but he is responsible for fire safety on Auburn’s campus as well.
The best safety advice the chief would give to Auburn citizens and students is to “be aware of your surroundings, know where the fire exits are, and never hesitate to call 911 if there is an emergency.”
“There have been many times when people assume someone has already called for help and no one actually has yet,” Lankford said.
Lankford plans on remaining active in the Auburn Fire Division and wants to continue to serve and protect the Auburn community.
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