WHAT started as way to meet new people and learn new things has become a passion for Billy Allan during the past quarter century.
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Originally joining Fire and Rescue NSW in Coonabarabran before moving to Tamworth, Mr Allan recently celebrated 25 years in the service.
"At the time there was few positions open with Coonabarabran and a guy I played footy and cricket with encouraged me to do it," Mr Allan told the Leader.
"I joined up, it was pretty good and it was more of a community service thing back then, it's a lot more professional now.
"I started up that way but as I went along, I became more used to how things are in Tamworth."
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Having moved to Tamworth in 2011, Mr Allan said his new workmates were very welcoming.
"The first 16 years were over in Coona and the last nine have been really good years here in Tamworth," he said.
"It's a good bunch of guys and for a quiet and shy guy like me, it's been really good to meet so many people."
Fire and Rescue Zone Superintendent Tom Cooper said Mr Allan was a role model for the local Indigenous community.
"Billy has been a real asset to our team for the past 25 years and is a beloved member of our team," Superintendent Cooper said.
"I know Billy has done quite a bit of work promoting what we do with the local Indigenous community and it is just fantastic to have someone like him onboard and in our community."
Mr Allan said he would encourage anyone thinking of getting involved with Fire and Rescue NSW to "give it a go".
"A lot of people think it is just about holding a hose and putting out fires," he said.
"There is so much more too it than that.
"You get a lot of fantastic training to deal with a variety of different situations.
"It's a really rewarding job and I couldn't recommend it enough to anyone who wants to get involved."