For 50 years, when the siren has sounded in Ōpōtiki, Tony Palmer has answered the call.

On Saturday night, Palmer’s extraordinary commitment to the Ōpōtiki community was recognised with the presentation of Gold Star.

Hosted by the Ōpōtiki Volunteer Fire Brigade at Ōpōtiki Golf Club, the occasion brought together firefighters, representatives from St John Ambulance, Ōpōtiki District Council and members of the wider emergency services community to honour Palmer and his partner, Diane.

Palmer, commonly known around the brigade as TP, joined the Ōpōtiki brigade on August 11, 1976, becoming its first member following the creation of the New Zealand Fire Service that year.

In his acceptance speech, Palmer thanked those who had travelled to celebrate the milestone, reflecting on just how much had changed during his five decades of service.

“Fifty years, who would have thought? When I started, all the old guys used to get gold service medals. Now even the young guys are getting 50-year service medals.”

He also had a humorous observation about the praise being directed his way.

“It is interesting listening to all the kind words. Usually, you have to go to a funeral to hear that.”

Palmer recalled a very different era of firefighting in those early days.

“Two fire stations, three chiefs, 20 different fire trucks and God knows how many members. When I started in 1976, we were issued a tunic, leggings, gumboots and, most importantly, a hatchet – and if the siren went off that night you were on the truck.

“Nowadays, we have all manner of equipment and protocols, but we still just turn up and do the job, whatever is involved.”

Fellow firefighter and event host Deputy Chief Fire officer Barry Hennessy praised Tony’s diligence and commitment.

“TP just turns up, gets the job done and is always willing to help newer members out”

A builder by trade, Palmer also ran the local garage for many years, and his construction and mechanical knowledge often proved invaluable.

United Fire Brigades’ Association of New Zealand president Dale Lindsay presented Palmer with his service medal, acknowledging the commitment it represented.

He said many people had little understanding of the commitment and sacrifice involved in volunteer firefighting.

“It means countless hours away from family, being in difficult positions and making challenging decisions. We cannot thank them enough and without them the fire brigade couldn’t function as it does.”

He said with approximately 12,000 volunteer firefighters, 1800 career firefighters and 1100 other employees across the country, reaching 50 years of service was a rare achievement.

“Less than 0.5 percent make it to 50 years of service. Tony becomes the 429th member in all of New Zealand to achieve this milestone and become part of this unique and highly exclusive part of our proud service, as well as the fourth member of the Ōpōtiki Brigade to be presented with the Gold Star.”

The recognition was backed up by an impressive record of attendance. UFBA records show Palmer has attended 2502 training musters, giving him an attendance rate of 88.34 percent, not including the thousands of emergency callouts over the years.

“It’s a record to truly be proud of,” Lindsay said.

Palmer’s service was also recognised by the Auckland Provincial Fire Brigades Association, FENZ Bay of Plenty District and Ōpōtiki District Council, with flowers presented to his partner in acknowledgement of her support and sacrifice.

Reflecting on his five decades with the brigade, Palmer said the friendships and sense of belonging had been among the greatest rewards.

“It has been an honour to be a part of the brigade and serve the community. I’ve made lots and lots of good friends over the years and the brigade has become a second family.

“You spend that much time down there working with the guys, for some nigh on 50 years. It really has been an honour to be a part of it.”