The awards are community-nominated and are open to all emergency services personnel, both paid and volunteer, to be recognised in this combined awards program. Winners for each service will be announced on Friday, October 30.

Finalists are drawn from the NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW, the NSW State Emergency Service, Marine Rescue NSW, Surf Life Saving NSW, NSW Ambulance, and the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association.

Mr Toole said the awards are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the enormous contribution of emergency services workers.

"The past year has been an exceptionally challenging one for the state and this is an appropriate time to pause, honour and congratulate our volunteers and emergency service workers for their dedication to their respective communities," he said.

"We are indebted to all of our first responders and it's important that we acknowledge the unsung heroes who repeatedly go above and beyond the call of duty."

Mr Gibbons said he joined at just 16 and has dedicated 27 years to both the SES and RFS. He is the local Oberon SES unit commander and RFS deputy group captain, Chifley Zone.

"It's a privilege to be nominated, two of my fellow colleagues putting me up for this award," he said.

"I love what I do, I'm not here for the accolade but it's appreciated."

Rotary District of NSW Emergency Services Community Awards (RESCA) is the only time all emergency services personnel, both paid and volunteer, are recognised in a combined awards program.

These awards were developed in 2009 by a few dedicated and passionate Rotarians who recognised the value of not only our paid, but also our volunteer emergency services personnel.

Winners for each service, plus two special overall winners will be announced on Friday, October 30. The overall winners for NSW then represent the state at the National Awards on November 23, 2020.