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There is no doubt that Silverdale’s Senior Station officer, Jim Maclean, has plenty of stories to tell after 50 years of firefighting.
His long service is rare – only around 1 percent of firefighters become members of “the 50- year Club” – and he was thanked heartily for it at a ceremony held at Silverdale Fire Station on Friday, July 29.
The event also marked his retirement, although Jim has since taken on a couple of shifts at another station.
Around 100 people – current and retired firefighters, both volunteer and paid – attended, including a crew from Otara. The participants included a number of new recruits, as well as retired commanders and three past recipients of the 50-year Gold Star.
For the duration of the ceremony, the current dispute over firefighters’ pay and conditions was put to one side – Fire and Emergency NZ chief executive Kerry Gregory was among those there simply to pay tribute to Maclean.
It was clear Maclean is held in very high regard, with Chief Fire Officer (Langholm) Graeme Booth describing him as “one of the best” – someone whose strength is giving back to those he serves with, as well as the community. His compassion, integrity, commitment, loyalty and powers of persuasion were all valued by his colleagues.
Maclean has been a paid firefighter since 1972, serving in a number of roles but his preference was always to be on the fire truck, not behind a desk.
During the service, tributes also flowed for his family – his wife Helen and daughters – whose support and sacrifice allowed him to serve the community.
Maclean has been at Silverdale since 2017 and it was noted at the service that he leaves the station’s volunteer and paid crews with a good relationship thanks to his ability to be proactive, communicate and deal with issues.
Many had stories to tell that demonstrated his character and abilities – as well as his love of skydiving and weakness for Sultana Pasties!
Maclean himself told only a couple of stories, speaking of others, not himself.
“Where I have done things well, it was by learning from others,” he said.
Jim CV includes: Wide range of experience at all permanent stations in Auckland over the last 34 years, and a 24-hour overtime shift in Taupo that involved a property fire. • Initial command of all types of property fires, rural fires and special services as well as specialist officer tasks at greater alarm incidents, task force deployments and extensive command of specialist appliances at incidents. Two years full time Fire Safety and overtime work in the department while operational at City Station. • Incidents attended as Senior Station Officer include greater alarms, property fires, hazardous materials incidents and vehicle extrications. • Four-month recent secondment as Acting Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Waitakere City Fire District
