But while the accolades are nice, Spence, as he's known to his colleagues, has been doing what he believes he was meant to do - saving lives.

Last Friday the intensive care paramedic with Ambulance NSW Camden Haven put away his medical equipment in preparation for some quiet time. Whether that's possible with 12 grandchildren and his wife Barb having some small jobs around the house to do, is yet to be seen.

He was given a surprise send-off by colleagues at the Camden Haven station.

Ian and Barb moved to the Camden Haven about 12 years ago after accidentally coming across the region on holidays.

"When we turned on to The Parade at North Haven and looked up the river to the mountain we both knew this was our dream location," Ian said.

"We just couldn't believe how incredible it was."

Ian was so intent on getting a position in the Camden Haven that he even had the word Laurieton scrolling across his computer as a screen saver.

"I was just putting it out there," he said.

"We wanted to be here so much."

And it worked. A position became available and Ian had his resume in a few minutes after the job notice came up.

Spence joined the then Ambulance Service of NSW on April 26, 1976.

After his initial training he was deployed to Drummoyne and then Ryde soon after.

There have been some massive tests in his career and his first, the Granville train disaster in 1977 proved the catalyst for being involved with some of the most traumatic disasters in the state.

In 1980, Ian trained as an intensive care paramedic and moved to Parramatta station, the busiest in the state. He became a station officer there in 1987, the same year he qualified for the road rescue team.

But, he wasn't finished there.

In 1996 Spence undertook the most physically demanding training in ambulance, the special casualty access team before up-skilling again and working on the Care Flight Rescue Helicopter for two years.

"My most memorable job on the helicopter was the Sydney to Hobart race disaster when massive storms hit and many boats were destroyed and sailors needed to be rescued.

Ian was a member of the Thredbo landslide SCAT helicopter team and attended the Strathfield Plaza shootings.

There have been many, many more incidents during his career.

His commitment to the ambulance service has been recognised with numerous awards such as the Ambulance Distinguished Service Medal, National Medal and two Clasps for 35 years' service, Ambulance Service of NSW long service medal, Silver and bronze medals for bravery, Gold Wings for 500-plus helicopter responses and International Rescue Helicopter Rescue Crew of the Year Award 1998 awarded in the United States. The latter award is peer recognition.

It hasn't all been "on the job" where Spence has shone. He is also known for being instrumental in some of the processes and procedures used by the ambulance service currently.

Spence has attended many jobs in the Camden Haven, from the little ones to the large highway crashes.

Testament to his dedication to saving lives is one incident he remembers vividly.

"I was returning to Laurieton on a day off when I came across a motorcyclist who had crashed in to a wire rope safety barrier," he said.

"It had caused a lot of damage to his leg and he was bleeding heavily. I looked at the damage, whipped off my belt and tied it around the man's leg."

While he may be stepping aside from his career, Ian will not be giving up his life's work. He is a volunteer with the local Fire and Rescue Brigade.