It was an honour to attend and listen to the yarns and accolades for Paul Shepherd at his retirement function at NTC today.

His training, USAR and firefighter colleagues from around the Motu made sure they could attend and had many stories, some emotionally related, detailing his influence and mana in all he has achieved throughout his career, particularly as a mentor and leader. 

Shep has been instrumental in training more than 800 career firefighters and the establishment and development of USAR.

Shep has also shown leadership as he prepared for retirement quietly fighting for the recognition of Parkinson’s Disease as a firefighters’ occupational cancer. He has never shied from any challenge and is an inspiration to all.