Long Service Medals for Blue Mountains volunteers

Commissioner Fitzsimmons said the volunteers have made an enormous contribution to the community and are an inspiration.

"Together these 50 volunteers have dedicated more than 1,200 years to the Rural Fire Service and today is an opportunity for that commitment to be recognised.

"I would particularly like to acknowledge the 11 members who have notched up more than 30 years with their local brigades – this level of selfless dedication to the community is what the Rural fire Service prides itself on.

"One volunteer here today, Mr Ron Esgate has been a member for more than half a century which is a remarkable achievement."

Commissioner Fitzsimmons also paid tribute to a member of the Group Support Brigade who received her awarded posthumously.

"It is a tremendous honour to present Beverley Gibson's Long Service Medal to her husband Bruce. Mrs Gibson was a member of the Service for 14 years, and I have no doubt that her family are rightly proud of Beverley's dedication.

"The level of hard work and professionalism demonstrated by RFS volunteers across the State should not go unnoticed and today is an opportunity for the community to express their gratitude and say thank you," Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.

The members were presented with their Long Service Medals at a ceremony at the Blue Mountains Emergency Service Centre in Katoomba.

"The Blue Mountains is one of the most bush fire prone landscapes in the world and each of these men and women play a vital role in the protection of this community, whether fighting bush fires, attending road accidents or assisting with storm and floods like those experience in the Blue Mountains this year.

"All of today's medal recipients are shining examples of the calibre of volunteers across NSW".