Phil Edwards did not grow up yearning to be a firefighter.
As the youngest of 14 children born to a woman raising them without help from a father, Edwards was more focused on everyday survival than career planning.
“I had to be convinced. My good friend Vacellia Clark told me I should take the test, and I kept telling her I’ve got enough rejection in my life,” said Edwards, affectionately known to many as “Fireman Phil.” Turns out she was right and he was wrong, especially in underestimating himself.
On Friday, the Urbana fire marshal put on his dress uniform and ceremoniously “walked out” from a career he’s held dear for 24 years.
“I’m pretty proud,” he said.
Although he was the fourth Black man to be hired as an Urbana firefighter, he claims the distinction of being the first to be promoted, initially to engineer and later to fire marshal.