Te Puke fire chief Glenn Williams has been recognised for 40 years as a volunteer firefighter. Photo / George Novak
Te Puke fire chief Glenn Williams has been recognised for 40 years as a volunteer firefighter. Photo / George Novak
When Glenn Williams first signed up as a volunteer firefighter back in 1981 he had no idea he would still be hopping out of bed at night when the siren sounds, loving the role, 40 years later.
In fact, Williams admits he initially doubted he'd even make it to 25years in the role.
The Te Puke volunteer fire chief this week marks the rare milestone with the New Zealand Fire and Emergency service. Fewer than five per cent of New Zealand firefighters make it to such a tenure. Just two per cent make it to 50 years.
The brigade celebrated informally on Wednesday and Williams's service is expected to be formally recognised later this year.
Te Puke fire chief Glenn Williams has been recognised for 40 years as a volunteer firefighter. Photo / George Novak
Despite this, Williams said he had no plans to join the two per cent.
"That's not on my bucket list," he said.
"I'm still happy to do it but when it's time to go - whether it's the brigade who tell me to bugger off or if I decide I've had enough and hang my boots up - I'll go. There are enough people here to look after things when I do."
Williams is reluctantly proud of his achievement, saying much of the 40 years had passed in a flash.
"I remember starting at the Mount station ... What they didn't tell me at the time was the Mount had a volunteer unit but it was only one person and he hadn't been going to training for a long, long time.
"So at my first night for training I was the only person there."
Far from being dissuaded, Williams spent the next few months tagging along with paid firefighters and drawing on their experience for what would become the foundation of his four-decade volunteer career.
Williams spent 12 years as a Mount Maunganui-based volunteer firefighter before moving to Te Puke brigade for 28 years, spending 15 of those as chief.
The former business broker and council health and safety officer has seen more than any volunteer probably should. The Te Puke brigade responds to calls stretching across the Bay of Plenty district. But he takes it in stride.
Te Puke Fire Brigade volunteer Glenn Williams pictured at the station in 2005. Photo / File
Williams said the increased frequency of firefighters attending motor vehicle crashes as first responders had been a notable change to the industry over the years.
And it has had a deep impact.
"There are always calls that stick in your mind," he said.
"There was a crash out at Long Swamp Rd [north of Te Puke] where a truck had gone over the top of a car. It killed two little kids. I remember going home and going into my young daughter's bedroom, she was a similar age to one of them, and just giving her a hug. That stuck with me for a couple of weeks."
Another callout of note was a service station fire near the Mount station years ago needing back-up from Tauranga in the days before the Harbour Bridge was built.
"So you had back-up fire trucks coming from town through the back of Maungatapu. One of the paid firefighters was seriously injured at that one [fire]."
The camaraderie of the crew was a key factor in Williams's dedication to the brigade and community, he said.
"It's just very rewarding to be able to give to the community and do something which we know with practically every call, we are helping someone out.
"I'm still happy to get out of bed in the middle of the night for that."
Williams said he could not have enjoyed the 40 years of service without the support of his wife and three children.
Te Puke fire chief Glenn Williams says he still loves getting up in the middle of the night to help people, 40 years later. Photo / George Novak
Williams's son Ben, who is in Dunedin studying, is also a member of the Te Puke fire brigade.
While Ben was 16 when he decided on becoming a firefighter, his father was in his 20s when he made the decision.
Williams recalled attending his first fire service function all those years ago and noticing another firefighter being award a gold star for 25 years of service.
"I remember saying to my wife, 'Jeez, 25 years. I'll never be around long enough for that' . But then it came along like a flash and I got mine."
Williams has gone on to various leadership positions within the organisation, including becoming an integration adviser for Fire and Emergency New Zealand during the restructuring of the organisation in recent years.
In 2017, Williams also held the role of president in the United Fire Brigades' Association of New Zealand.
"There's a term I've come across that has always stuck - leadership is not a prize, it's a responsibility. It's something I've always kept in mind."
For now, Williams is happy doing what he does best - helping his community. Whether that's rescuing a cat up a tree or helping attend a devastating highway crash: "Anything I do, I like to think I do the best job I can."
