Chief Fire Officer Dave Seque said it was one of the largest Fire Service Honours Parade and Presentation ceremonies held in Dunedin, the likes of which may never be seen again.
"In the 1970s, the number of firefighters in New Zealand doubled when we moved from two watches to four watches.
"All those people coming through today started in the '70s and big spikes are unlikely to happen again."
Firefighter Jock Mackay, senior firefighters Phil Baird, Greg Casey, John Griffiths, Richard Huuskes, Chris Ryalls, Gerald Vorgers, station officers Murray Little, Howard Weir, and Senior Station Officer Rob Torrance all received Gold Stars for contributing 25 years to the New Zealand Fire Service.
"The attrition rate has been very low. Being part of the fire service is like being part of a family. It's a rewarding job helping people and people appreciate the job we do."
Mr Seque said 25 years was a milestone held in high regard by all firefighters, particularly when the job could take their life like it did Hamilton senior station officer Derek Lovell in April. He too should have been at a reunion on the night he died, celebrating 25 years on the job.
• Medals for 2007-08.
Three-year certificate: Michael Loo, Rob Bevin, Michelle Harvey, Nick Summerton, John Small.
Five-year certificate: Ed Oskam, Mark Townsend, Emma Baird.
Silver Bar: Peter Leckie (7 years' service); Peter Brosnan, David Palmer (9); Scott Lindsay, Anthony Mason, Brent Key, Anthony O'Neil, Martin Jansen (11); Jason Hill (15); Robin Hulsbosch, Mark Leonard, Kerry McNamara, Ronald Oranje, Nick Petrie, Tony Gyde-Riggs (21); Ray Adams, Mark Dyer, Peter Hessian, Brent Foster (23).
Gold Star: Phil Baird, Greg Casey, John Griffiths, Richard Huuskes, Murray Little, Jock Mackay, Chris Ryalls, Robert Torrance, Gerald Vorgers, Howard Weir (25).
Gold Bars: Bruce McGavin (27); Graham Foley (29); Gordon Duell, Keith Feris, Mervyn Hobbs, Michael Howell, Ben Pitelen, Rodger Smith, Trevor Allum (31); Colin Aicken, Stephen Clarke, Brian Ellis, Christopher Noakes, Peter Smith, Richard Yardley (33); Laurence Cooney, Gerald Newbury, Allan Sparks, Trevor Tilyard, David Seque (35); Colin Astle, Robert Calder, David Marsh, Alan Masterton, Kenneth McCarthy, Bevan Moreton, James Tall, Ross Walker, Noel Botting, Kenneth Campell (37); Jeffrey Woodford (39); George Tetzlaff (41); David Holland, Angus McLean (43).
