Firefighter was there at the beginning

Gerard Keene says it will be an honour to receive a gold star tonight for 25 years with the...
Gerard Keene says it will be an honour to receive a gold star tonight for 25 years with the Waihola Volunteer Rural Fire Authority. Photo: Samuel White
Waihola's longest-serving firefighter is the first from the fire authority to receive a gold star award for 25 years with the emergency service.

Waihola Volunteer Rural Fire Authority crew member Gerard Keene signed up to the volunteer service in 1991 when it was first formed and will be honoured at a special ceremony on Saturday night.

He has spent the past 25 years with the group and risen through the ranks to take on chief fire officer and deputy fire officer roles throughout his career.

At present, he has taken a back seat to work as a crew member and open up the chief role for a younger member.

In Mr Keene’s time with the authority, organisation has shifted from the Clutha District Council to the Rural Fire Authority.

The crew had grown from a small outfit to a larger service with its own headquarters and three appliances.

Mr Keene said there was a camaraderie within the town and community, which he enjoyed.

"We are a small community and we all pull together when things go wrong."

Mr Keene said he was overwhelmed by the gold star award.

"It’s just an honour, really."

The past 25 years had "come and gone so quick" he had not realised he was up for the award until he was told.

"I’m just getting on and doing what I do."

He enjoyed his time with the volunteer service and had no plans to quit.

He might "step back" and be a supporter of the service as time went on.

More young people were joining, which was exciting, he said.

"It’ll be nice to step back and let them have a go."

Fellow crew-member Lance Nicholas joined the authority in 2003.

He said Mr Keene was "totally reliable" and a person who was there all the time.

"His turnout rate has got to be in the 80%-90%, if not slightly higher."

Mr Nicholas said Mr Keene was committed to encouraging young people to join and ensuring they had the best training possible with what resources the authority had.

Mr Nicholas will be the master of ceremonies for the award presentation tonight at the Waihola Community Hall.

Several other members will receive various awards and bars for different levels of service with the fire authority.

samuel.white@odt.co.nz

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