Long-time Howick resident Jim Smith has been honoured for his 50 years of service in the fire service.
Smith enrolled in 1973 in what was then the Auckland Fire Police and has served ever since in the same unit, known these days as Operational Support or the Auckland Volunteer Fire Brigade.
He’s the first in the group to achieve 50 years.
The brigade supports firefighters at emergencies across Greater Auckland and has also been called on to assist out-of-town during National Emergencies, including the Canterbury earthquakes.
It’s the biggest – and busiest – volunteer fire brigade in New Zealand.
Auckland Operational Support (Auckland Volunteer Fire Brigade) is a separate entity and not part of the local Howick Volunteer Fire Brigade.
Smith was its Chief Fire Officer during a time of great progress, introducing emergency response vehicles, a state-of-the art radio network and commissioning specialist appliances.
And, as well, attending major fires and emergencies in Auckland over the decades.
In 2006 he received the Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) in the Royal Honours for his work with fire services.
A dinner was held at the Howick Club, of which Smith is president, to mark the milestone attended by top fire and emergency executives, his colleagues, family and friends.
