Hawkesbury Rural Fire Brigade ready to celebrate half a century

Saturday 27 July 2013 Eighteen of Western Sydney's most experienced and well seasoned volunteer firefighters are to receive service medals at the Cumberland Zone NSW RFS Ball tonight.

NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) Assistant Commissioner Stuart Midgely praised the volunteers' unwavering dedication to their local communities and thanked them for selflessly giving up their time. "Blacktown, Fairfield and Penrith residents know all too well the hard work, professionalism and pride that comes with being a NSW RFS volunteer. "Whether it's responding to bush fire emergencies, like those we've seen only last summer, or assisting with flood rescue and recovery – our volunteers are on hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week. "Some of the members being recognised tonight have been serving with their brigades for up to forty five years, which is a remarkable achievement," said Assistant Commissioner Midgely. Assistant Commissioner Midgely made particular mention of John King OAM who has been a member for more than four decades. "Mr King has dedicated many hours of his time to helping his fellow volunteers and protecting and supporting his local community. "He has also fought fires outside Sydney, with deployments to the 2003 Canberra fires, Rylstone, Londonderry and Bathurst fires, along with assisting with the Wollongong floods. "Mr King, along with the other seventeen volunteers being honoured tonight, are shining examples of the steadfast dedication demonstrated by NSW RFS volunteer firefighters right across the state. "Whilst these volunteers certainly don't expect awards or accolades, all of them are most worthy of our sincere gratitude and thanks," said Assistant Commissioner Midgely.