“There was no breathing apparatus – you weren’t  a firefighter until you had tears tracking down your face through the soot and were coughing up black stuff.”

Firefighting strategies, equipment and safety standards have certainly improved since the retained firefighter first clocked on in October 1973.

As the Fire and Rescue NSW Balgownie captain clocked off this week – with almost 45 years under his belt and an Australian Fire Service medal on his chest – he reflected on the other changes which have made his role a little easier.

“When I joined seatbelts had only just become compulsory, and that made a massive difference to the number of lives lost on our roads – and the crashes that we attended,” Mr Fredericks said.

“Breathalyzers were pretty new and were making a further difference on the roads; while smoke alarms in houses were making a significant difference by quickly alerting people to fires – and they continue to save lives.”

Now 70, Mr Fredericks was 25 years young when a neighbour encouraged him to join up, so he did. He managed his permanent jobs – as an electrician and then in the mines – got married to Robyn, had three kids and is now a grandfather of six.

One of his favourite roles is taking part in the Christmas Eve firies' lolly run: “To see the kids’ eyes light up, well that always switches on Christmas for me.”

He’s also taken a lead in upskilling his colleagues, as the president of the Firefighters Championship Association. And he’s worked tirelessly assisting other emergency personnel at horrific accidents, heartbreaking house fires and devastating bushfires.

Even so, he was humbled by the Australian Fire Service Medal he received in 2014 as part of the Australia Day honours.

“I’m the person to pin it on,” he said, modestly. “But it was recognition of the people around me – the teams I’ve worked with, the family and friends who supported me.”

As he hangs up his helmet, he encouraged others to take on the role: “The camaraderie you enjoy combined with the difference you make on certain days – knowing you’ve helped someone or even saved someone – then that’s the best.”

Having retired from the mines five years ago, he now plans to spend his days “annoying the fish, the grandkids and the staff at Bunnings”.