McKINNEY – Captain Mark Douglas responded to his final emergency call on New Year's Eve after 33 years of service with the McKinney Fire Department.
Douglas was the longest-tenured city of McKinney employee.
According to fire department spokeswoman Stacie Durham, Douglas' first day was March 16, 1981. The department only had two stations at the time.
"We had a total of seven personnel working each 24-hour shift. There was no 911 back then. One of the seven on-duty firefighters was assigned phone and dispatching duties. No matter the nature of a call, someone always had to stay behind to answer the phone and get help to the next emergency," Douglas said in a news release.
Now, the city has eight fire stations, an administrative headquarters, and a training facility.
"It takes an incredible individual to navigate the changes the fire service has undergone during his career," said Fire Chief Danny Kistner. "Mark's leadership has made a lasting impact on emergency services in McKinney; and, leaves us poised for continued success."
Douglas rose through the ranks from firefighter to captain and was named the city's first employee of the year in 1988.
"There has not been one day in more than 33 years that I did not want to report to work," Douglas said. "It's been a privilege to serve."
