Des Syme has clocked up more than 60 years of rural fire force service. Photo: Ashburton CourierDes Syme was a fresh-faced 16-year-old when he joined the Alford Forest Rural Fire Force and 62 years on he’s still a fire volunteer. Now approaching his 79th birthday, he has no intentions of hanging up his fire gear. Since 1995 he’s been part of the Lauriston force and enjoys the camaraderie. His first ever callout as a teenager was to a fire in the north branch of the Ashburton River.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 05, 2020 16:52 UTC