Mr Fielding and his family have strong ties with the brigade.

His wife Enid has been a member of the ladies committee for 48 years.

The couple and their four sons have collectively racked up more than 160years of service with the brigade.

Mr Fielding officially retired from service 14 years ago, but the 79-year-old still can't keep away.

Not long after his retirement, he had heart bypass surgery.

But that didn't stop him from taking food around to the station, cooking a barbecue for the fireys or mopping the floors when he had the time. He's seen many changes in the brigade since he began volunteering.

"From the vehicles, to the protective clothing. When I started you got into the truck in the clothes you were standing up in. But now you don't get on the unit until you get into the approved clothing and

you have to sit down and wear seatbelts.

"When I started we just stood up in the back and held on; that's the biggest change."

Mr Fielding was brigade captain for nine years.

"There was always a challenge - but when you have your brigade and your officers behind you, it all falls into place."