There is one rescue mission that will always stick in the mind of Dunedin firefighter Lindsay Rae.
Mr Rae (64) completed his last shift with the Central Dunedin Fire Station at 8am yesterday after 35 years in the Fire Service.
There had been many injuries, accidents and medical calls, but the rescue of dozens of elderly people from a ''horrific'' fire at the Leith House Rest Home, in North Dunedin, in 1985 stood out.
''It was so close to resulting in major loss of life.
''We actually set up chains of firefighters to get them down the stairs and out of the building.
''It was touch and go, but not a life was lost.''
It was that challenge and unpredictability Mr Rae would miss the most in his retirement.
''When you start your shift, you don't know what you'll be required to do before your shift finishes. It might not be much, but it might be something that taxes you and takes you to your limits.''
He would also miss his workmates, as they had become like family.
''When you spend 24 hours with people, you really get to know them.''
He also said it was not just the big fires he would remember.
''It was some of the smaller ones when you really knew you'd made a big difference to someone's life.''
In his retirement, Mr Rae, who has been married to wife Lesley for 39 years, said he would take some time out, travel and probably do some volunteer work within the community.
