THANKS DAD: Kerikeri firefighter Glen Riley receiving his gold star from his father Brian, with Ray Topia, past president of the United Fire Brigades Association, looking on. PICTURE/PETER DE GRAAF
THANKS DAD: Kerikeri firefighter Glen Riley receiving his gold star from his father Brian, with Ray Topia, past president of the United Fire Brigades Association, looking on. PICTURE/PETER DE GRAAF
A Kerikeri firefighter who has been honoured for a quarter-century of volunteering says he does it for the sheer satisfaction of helping his community.
Senior firefighter Glen Riley was awarded his Gold Star for 25 years' service in a function at the Kerikeri RSA attended by about 150 people, on Saturday night.
Far North Mayor John Carter talks about Gold Star recipient Glen Riley and respect for Fire Service volunteers. PICTURE/PETER DE GRAAF
The orchard worker said a sense of duty to his community and his fellow volunteers kept him turning out - he had attended more than 92 per cent of the brigade's call-outs since he joined in 1990.
"When someone turns up at the station after an incident with a simple 'thank you,' that makes it all worthwhile," he said.
Mr Riley's Gold Star was only the 10th awarded in the 60-year history of the Kerikeri Fire Brigade.
Station officer Charles Le Couteur with station officer Ben Scott, recipient of a 14-year Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. PICTURE/PETER DE GRAAF
He was talked into joining as a 21-year-old by a now-deceased volunteer. His first call-out was to a car in a ditch on Kapiro Road. Of the many emergencies since then, the two that were etched most vividly into his memory were a crash north of Waipapa that killed a family of four, and a worker who had lost consciousness in a sewage silo at the Kerikeri treatment plant.
The man was rescued by firefighters wearing protective suits and breathing apparatus, and while the smell was "unforgettable" he was was pulled out alive and made a full recovery.
Kaeo fire chief Lindsay Murray and his wide Kossleen Murray. PICTURE/PETER DE GRAAF
Mr Riley, who has Type 1 diabetes and uses an insulin pump, had to overcome more obstacles than most to be a volunteer. Because of his condition he had to battle bureaucracy for years before he could become a fully-fledged firefighter.
Among those present on Saturday were many of the 14 chief fire officers from Ahipara to Dargaville, Mayor John Carter, representatives of the United Fire Brigades Association, and Mr Riley's parents, wife Shivaun and 11-year-old son Deacin.
Kerikeri CFO Les Wasson said Mr Riley was selfless and dependable, and could be relied on to turn out at any time of day of night.
"You can give him a job and you know it will get done," he said.
Other awards presented on the night included a 14-year long service and good conduct medal to station officer Ben Scott, and a 40-year certificate and two-year gold bar to brigade operational support Greg Imms, who has now clocked up a total of 47 years' service.
The fill awards list was:
Glen Riley - gold star (25 years); Ben Scott - 14-year long service and good conduct medal; Greg Imms (47 years) - 40-year certificate; Don Kemp (39 years), Mike Fleet (41 years), Greg Imms (47 years), Allan Kerrisk (35 years) - two-year gold bars. Scott Erwin (7 years), Brett Curtis (9 years), Kevin Graham (11 years), Ben Scott (15 years), Noel Green (21 years) - two-year silver bars). Cameron Graham, David Crate, Craig Bacon, Jake Pille, Steve Mortensen, Bryce Imms - five-year medals. Michael de Langen, Wayne Timson, Mark Wood - three-year certificates.
