Beginning as a volunteer firefighter in Levin has led to a 50-year career in the New Zealand Fire Service for Tauranga assistant area manager Graeme Easton.

Graeme joined the fire service one month after leaving college in 1964.

Assistant area manager Graeme Easton. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

He says being a volunteer confirmed his aspirations to be a paid firefighter. Graeme started his full-time career in Palmerston North in December 1968.

'At that stage we worked a 24-hour shift every alternate day. This averages out to 84 hours per week.” Graeme says working and living with individuals constantly needed very good interpersonal skills and the ability to resolve any differences quickly.

Initially the brigade provided housing at each station for married staff, so it was a family affair with children playing together as well. Off-duty staff responded from their homes to bolster the on-duty crew.

'It was 1972 we changed to the current shift system firefighters work today.”

During his 50-year career, Graeme's been stationed all over the North Island, including Palmerston North, Dunedin, Wellington, Taupo, Hamilton and Tauranga.

'When I was a young boy I always wanted to be a firefighter. My father was a volunteer firefighter and advised me to obtain qualifications or a trade first.

'I completed an electrical apprenticeship and gained all of the qualifications before joining the paid firefighter ranks.” Graeme says this helped initially, because people with trades and other tertiary qualifications were preferred in fire brigades.

'While on duty, and not involved in training, we carried out maintenance usually related to our trade or skill set.”

Graeme enjoys every aspect of his job and says the day he stops is the day he'll retire.

'The best thing about the job is normally you are there to help people and the public really appreciate this; they support firefighters and make you welcome.” He says the downside of his career choice is dealing with trauma at incidents, particularly when young children or a colleague are involved.

'The Fire Service has an excellent support network available for people who find some situations difficult to deal with, particularly trauma associated with motor vehicle accident and medical calls.”

A celebration is being held at Classic Flyers on Saturday to mark Graeme's 50 years in the New Zealand Fire Service.