After dedicating 25 years of voluntary service to the Stratford Fire Brigade, Mike Childs was honoured by the community when he was presented with his Gold Star.
To add to the occasion, Mike was also made a life member of the brigade.
More than 200 volunteer firefighters, family, friends and local dignitaries joined Mike, his wife Lynette and children to celebrate the event last Saturday at the War Memorial Centre.
United Fire Service Association New Zealand representative, Maurice Kelly, presented Mike with his Gold Star.
Mike joined the Stratford Brigade on February 26, 1982, and slowly climbed through the ranks - firefighter, senior firefighter (1993), station officer (1995) and deputy fire chief (since 2000).
During the past 25 years, he has attended 3300 call-outs or 90.16% of all calls received at the Stratford Fire Station.
Mike said he joined the brigade because his work-mates encouraged him to join and he wanted to give something back to the community he lived in.
"I never expected to last 25 years. No fireman does it for the glory or medals; we do it because we are available to do it."
Mike said that his first two bosses were very generous, allowing him to attend calls during work hours. Today he is a self-employed builder.
He said that one of the main reasons he has stayed firefighting is because of the endless supply of new friends you make across the country.
"You meet some great people over time and create some strong bonds with people from across New Zealand. You can walk into any fire station and find a friend."
He also said that the comradeship at Stratford was exceptional.
His most memorable fire over the past 25 years was the Stratford Hotel (currently home to Colonel Malone's).
"It wasn't such a big fire to start with. No one ever thought that the entire building would go. The fire was too well developed inside - it just took off like a bomb."
Mike said one of the amazing things about being a firefighter is that in five minutes you can go from working at a building site or mowing the lawns to being involved in a life-threatening situation and saving people's lives.
"It is a special feeling you get when you help people - whether you save their home from being completely destroyed or cutting someone out of a major car accident and saving their life - the feeling is extremely satisfying."
Mike said he was proud to serve the brigade for 25 years and recommends the Fire Service to anyone who wants to volunteer to the community they belong to.
Over the years, Mike said being a firefighter has helped mould his personality.
"Firefighters learn so many essential life skills, from handling stressful situations, remaining calm while everyone else is screaming, quick thinking, teamwork, common sense and much more."
He also noticed that over the past 25 years training techniques have been the most noticeable change.
"The biggest change is the constant ongoing training to upskill and keep the standards of skill high among volunteers. It's hard work, but the rewards are priceless."
Mike said that without the understanding and support from Lynette, their children and other family and friends he wouldn't have been able to give as much as he has to the community he loves.
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