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With 80 years of combined service from one family, including 54 years from one man, there is no shortage of commitment at Waiuku’s Volunteer Fire Brigade.
Keith Midgley started out as a firefighter approximately 50 years ago, becoming the first in his family to do so.
His son, Craig, picked up the hose 25 years later and 20 years after that, his grandson, Kaleb, followed suit.
Recognising three generations in one brigade, the eldest of the three Midgleys says he is proud of the legacy that he inadvertently began.
“It’s a great honour, I’m glad that they followed in my footsteps. They’ve (practically) been brought up in the fire brigade,” he says.
At a recent awards night, third-generation firefighter Kaleb Midgley was among a handful of volunteers recognised for their long service, receiving a medal to mark his five-year milestone.
“Kaleb wanted to join since he was a kid. He was going to be a fireman and that was that,” his proud grandfather says.
Kevin Maxwell was another member of the brigade commended recently, receiving a gold bar for his 54-year-long stretch, alongside Troy Johnson (37 years).
In addition, Ken Rowe was awarded a Long Service Good Conduct Medal.
Five others received silver bars for service ranging from seven to 21 years, and two newer recruits acquired their three-year certificates.
When Maxwell first joined, the application process was more straightforward than it is today.
“I wrote a letter that had only a few words on it. It said: ‘I’d like to join the fire brigade.’ That was it, then I was accepted,” he says.
For Maxwell, five and a half decades boils down to the small things just as much as it does bigger emergencies.
“I was using the same locker for around 52 years or so before they took it off me and gave it to the younger members,” he laughs.
During his time in the brigade, Maxwell says a lot has changed.
What was once a job focused only on fires now sees a good deal of “blood and guts too,” he adds.
Asked why they return to the job year after year, they all indicated that they enjoy the work – a fitting answer from humble people who often risk their lives to keep our community safe.
