How do I tighten the emergency brakes on a 1989 vanagon GL?

Also it seems I get better braking when I pump once more after the first
braking.

Today on the freeway it seemed that all of a sudden I had to pump the brakes
to get a good up high brake pedal. This lasted all the way to my destination
in an industrial area where I went to see my Mercedes which is getting a
needed paint job.

Upon arrival I smelled something akin to burning rubber. Being an industrial
area I was not too concerned except my emergency brake level now comes
almost to the top when formerly it was 1/2 way there. I concluded I may have
driven withthe emergency brake not fully released.

On the way home I did not need to pump my brakes as much. They work fine now
but do harden up with one more pump of the pedal.

I checked the brake fluid level under the instrument cluster and it is still
full.

Any advice welcomed as to how I might both tighten the emergency brake lever
AND
inspect for the "need to pump brake pedal" situation.

William
1989 Vanagon GL
1988 Mercedes 300SE