Five of the original members from the Relbia Volunteer Fire Brigade, which started in 1967, are still volunteering to this day.

Their commitment, along with the support of their families, is something that should be acknowledged and admired. 

The station was one of many across the state to form after the tragic Black Tuesday bushfires, which claimed the lives of 62 people and left another 900 injured.

It was a devastating time in the state’s history, but also a time when Tasmanians united to support one another.

Out of the ashes of that tragedy came thousands of volunteers who would go on to dedicate decades to their own communities.

The five volunteers at Relbia, who combined have completed 250 years of community service, are just five of the thousands of Tasmanians who volunteer in emergency services every day.

From Tasmania Fire Service to Ambulance Tasmania to SES, the state is not short of passionate, generous and dedicated people who are willing to give up their own time to assist in critical situations.

But beyond the uniform, they are human.

It may be their chosen career or a role they have willingly taken on, but that doesn’t stop them from being affected emotionally, mentally and physically.  

It is often the volunteers who are first at the scene of a fatal crash or major fire in rural and regional areas. 

Not only are they confronted with tragic scenes, but there is also the chance they will know the victim or victims in the situation.

Most of them live and work in the community they volunteer in. 

That is why all emergency service workers deserve recognition – both volunteer and career.

They are someone’s partner, friend, parent, grandparent, sister or brother, son or daughter.

So the next time you run into your local firefighter, paramedic, SES worker or police officer, take the time to say thank you.