'Humbled' to receive 50-year fire service medal

Fifty years of service has flown past for Balclutha firefighter Ian Ross, and he would do it all again in the blink of an eye.

Mr Ross, or ``Geordie'' to his friends, said he had been ``humbled'' to receive his 50-year service medal from Fire and Emergency New Zealand at a special ceremony in Balclutha last month.

Key to his longevity in what had sometimes been a physically and emotionally demanding role was a genuine sense of enjoyment, the 73-year-old said.

``Right from the outset I've enjoyed the camaraderie, the competitions and serving the community. The [fire] service is like one big family, and I've got lasting friendships from all around New Zealand to prove it.''

Getting into the competitive side of fire training not long after he officially joined the Balclutha brigade in 1968, he had seldom left the starting line since.

``When I got a bit slow competing, I took over as a starter, which is something I've done now for 35 years. You never lose your enjoyment,'' he said.

No stranger to helping out behind the scenes, he and wife Janet had also taken on a wide range of administrative roles at local and regional level when they arose.

That had meant a life in the fire service for their four children, too, Mr Ross said.

``We got married the same year we both joined the brigade, so we've had four very patient kids who were in the service throughout their childhood, by default.''

Although firefighting had changed substantially during his half-century of involvement, its essence and appeal remained the same, he said.

``We've seen dramatic changes over the years, mainly in equipment and appliances, but also in areas like medical skills for our officers, where we're often primary responders for road crash rescue and other medical emergencies in our communities. But I think it's tremendous we can offer this service to people; it's about doing your bit.''

Joining the fire service could be a ``terrific career'', he said.

``I say to the young ones, `You've just got to aim your targets high. Get into it and make a career out of it and you'll never regret a moment'.''

Mr Ross has reached a rare milestone, his 50-year medal being only the 175th to be awarded in New Zealand fire service history, and making way for the next generation of firefighters had now begun to enter his mind, he said.

``Any damage I've done to myself has been largely self-inflicted, so I've been pretty lucky really. But you do slow down a bit. It might be time to step aside soon.

``You never move on from the friends, though. That's for life.''