ŌTOROHANGA volunteer firefighter and deputy chief fire officer Bryan King was presented with a Gold Star for 25 years of service on Saturday night. PHOTO BRIANNA STEWART
IT was standing room only at the Thirsty Weta on Saturday night as a crowd gathered to celebrate a firefighter’s quarter century of service to the Ōtorohanga brigade.
Bryan King officially joined the brigade in 1996 at the age of 17 – though he actually started tagging along with his dad, chief fire officer Neville King, when he was much younger.
He and his brother would attend “Sunday school” when they were younger, which involved afternoons at the station cleaning, having a barbecue and a few quiet beers.
The expectation was there early for Bryan to join the brigade. At 10 years old, he was told by the then-fire chief that a spot was being held for him to claim when he was old enough.
He is now the deputy chief fire officer.
Several protocols were broken on Saturday night, but all made it more special.
Don Roper spoke on behalf of the United Fire Brigade Assocation during the ceremony.
A firefighter’s attendance was usually sealed as privileged or private information, Don said, but sometimes the circumstance required that information to be shared.
For the vast majority of his time at the brigade, Bryan had 100% attendance and never slipped below 94%.
“That is something to be really proud of,” Don said.
Before Bryan could receive his 25-year gold star, his five-year medal had to be removed.
Don said tradition was to pass it on to the firefighter’s wife, but Bryan requested that it go to his son instead.
In another personal touch Bryan’s father was invited to present him with the gold star.
The gold star is a significant milestone that represents 25 years of committed service to the fire brigade and local community.
While Bryan was recognised, equal recognition had to go to his partner, Gemma, and two children.
Regardless of what special family event he may have been attending, if the siren went at any time of the day or night, Bryan was there.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand district manager Daryl Trim took the opportunity to take the microphone in recognition of Bryan’s efforts.
“It’s always a privilege to come to these evenings and acknowledge the hard work and commitment that it takes to get to the milestone of 25 years,” he said.
“What seems so far away when you start, before you know it, here you are.”
The core purpose of the evening was to celebrate Bryan, with fire brigade dignitaries, his colleagues, family and friends, but that didn’t mean he escaped some of his past antics being brought to light by speakers.
In true fashion for the volunteer brigade, a duty fire crew was established before the event got into full swing, so the community would continue to be taken care of if a call came through and the siren sounded.
