He began volunteering in Launceston after he left high school and became a metal worker. Before two years later a position became available for a paid gig.

Mr Barrenger said a six-month trial position came up in George Town and he jumped at it.

After he spent some time studying in Singapore and working in upstate New York - with one of the first crews brought in after 9/11.

"Back in those days there were only 20 positions available," he said.

"Six months soon became 37 odd years.

"We raised our three children here and I love the community."

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Mr Barrenger was named the George Town Council's Citizen of the Year in January and took home the state's Northern region Emergency Services Worker of the Year also.

Something he said came out of the blue but was a pleasant surprise to be honoured by the community.

During his time he has delivered between 25 and 30 babies, with some born on the side of the road, in their home or at the George Town District Hospital.

"I'm a bit disappointed not one of them has been called Michael," he joked.

He thanked his wife Lisa, who is a retired library technician, for her support over the decades. As he said he would work four 10 hour days and be on call during the night for the remaining 14 hours, up until six months ago.

The 64-year-old said the change six months ago got him thinking about retirement, as it was the first time he had knocked off in the same day in 37 years.

"I also need to thank the volunteers," he said.

"We have literally had hundreds of volunteers through the door of George Town and without their support I wouldn't of been able to stay on as long as I have."

COVID-19 made everything harder he said, but since he began in 1975, he could tell public education and workers safety was keeping Northern Tasmanians safer.

"We used to get a lot of industrial injuries, but with improved workplace safety laws they are extremely rare now," he said.

"I remember when the road toll used to be 120 or 130, but now if it gets over 30 we are horrified, so public education is getting better."

Mr Barrenger will retire from duty on April 12, which also happens to be his 65^th birthday, and said he looks forward to improving his golf game, getting out in his boat to fish more and visiting the family's shack.

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