Kaikohe volunteer firefighter Luers Crump joined an elite band when he received his Gold Star for a quarter of a century's service, 25 years ago.
Now he's doubled that, joining an even smaller elite as a double Gold Star recipient.
Mr Crump, and Richard Penney, who received his Gold Star, were feted at the Kaikohe RSA recently. The function attracted four other double Gold Star holders — Jim Powdrill (Kaikohe), Gary Murdock (Dargaville), Mike Mosby (Paihia) and Lindsay Murray (Kaeo).
![From left: Luers Crump from Kaikohe; Jim Powdrill, Kaikohe; Gary Murdock, Dargaville; and Mike Mosby, Paihia. Missing from photo is Lindsay Murry from Kaeo. Photo / Supplied](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/VHKPQZIJVWVOGOTWBBXZ35PBKU.jpg?auth=d7dd7bd39052d12d671e2506bf965577fde5641c495192a73d8142d288be9c39&width=16&height=13&quality=70&smart=true)
Mr Crump's achievement has also been noted by the firefighters' magazine K1, which pointed out that he couldn't swim, which had some relevance the first time he entered a burning building "in earnest."
It was in Horeke, in the early 1970s, when Cleaves' store, one of three adjoining buildings that jutted out over the Hokianga Harbour, caught fire.