With 37 years of experience as a paramedic, Mr Behrend joined an honorary division in Feb, 1972 before becoming a full-time staff member in October that same year. He said at first he did not know what he was getting himself into, but soon found the most satisfying thing about the job was knowing you had helped someone.

“The most satisfying thing is to help someone in need of assistance,” Mr Behrend said. “We’re the first contact that person is going to have with the health care system.”

Mr Behrend, born in Armidale, served for five-and-a-half years there, from 1972 to 1978, before transferring to Wee Waa for another five years.

He then served at South Tamworth for one year, before coming to stay permanently in Moree from 1984.

His departure will leave seven paramedics at the Moree station.

Only one other paramedic will be left with an equivalent qualification of Mr Behrend, that of an advanced life support paramedic.

Mr Behrend said advertising for the position had already begun and he expected an equally qualified person to replace him soon after his departure.

He plans to spend his retirement in Moree.