Mr Paul is set to hang up the fire hose in the next few weeks but said it was a great personal achievement to help locals out in emergency situations for the past five decades.

"It's a great achievement," he said.

"I don't know how to explain it, you just hang in there and the years go by.

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While there isn't a single highlight or lowlight he could pinpoint during the last 50 years, Mr Paul said he valued the friendships he made over the years.

"It's community service, I thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie and the blokes that are in it," he said.

"I'd just like to thank all the blokes that I've served with over the years. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it's a great organisation and we're doing a great community service."

Mr Paul joined Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) at Canowindra as a Retained Firefighter in 1969 and less than 10 years later he was appointed Captain.

In June 2013, Mr Paul was the recipient of an Australian Fire Service Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

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He is renowned throughout rural New South Wales as a keen advocate for operational training programs, particularly the Firefighting Championships held regularly throughout regional New South Wales.

Throughout his distinguished career Mr Paul has been a vital member of the emergency response team at Canowindra, responding to many building and bushfires, road accidents, chemical spills, and other emergencies.