Robert Calder has cleared his locker out and given his uniform back.
The former Dunedin City Senior Station Officer for Blue Watch has retired after 45 years in the New Zealand Fire Service.
It is a role Mr Calder will miss.
''The camaraderie. It's your second family. You spend so much time with them that you become involved in their lives. But it is time for me to move on,'' he said.
A function will be held on Saturday to mark the retirement of Mr Calder alongside Senior Station Officer Ian Anderson and Senior Firefighters Gerry Newbury, Chris Ryalls and John Smalls.
Collectively they have given more than 160 years to the New Zealand Fire Service.
''It's really nice that all the guys will be there. There's a good cross section - the old and the young,'' he said.
Mr Calder, a diesel mechanic, joined the service in May 1970.
''There was a bit of a downturn in the diesel mechanic industry - things were starting to get a bit tight. I thought it would be a secure career [NZFS] so I joined. I have never looked back. I loved going to work because you didn't know what to expect. It was a challenging job,'' he said.
Mr Calder has seen changes in equipment, the service attending more medical callouts and how technology has made the service more efficient.
''The number of days off is twice what we were given when I joined. The shift system changed. We used to work a 56-hour week when I joined but now it is a 42-hour week,'' he said.
There were more women in the fire service now, which was another big change, Mr Calder said.
''When I joined it was all male. People behave themselves better. They have a different look on things. They have a role to fill in their job. It's just as tough for them [women] to get in as what it is for anyone else. Everyone shows respect,'' he said.
Mr Calder always enjoyed interacting with people.
''A majority of the time people are pleased to see us. When something is wrong, the door's always open and the welcome mat is out. It's a job that grows on you. It's a way of life. Even when you are off duty, people still call on you. There's no-one else to call on sometimes. It's nice to be able to do things for the community. You only have to save one life and it's all worth it,'' he said.
The only plan Mr Calder had was to ''enjoy'' his retirement.
- by Samantha McPherson
