Derek Smith was a member of the Lawson Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade in the Blue Mountains for over 35 years. He passed away on 13 May 2023 after a brave battle with cancer. Derek's funeral was held on Tuesday 30 May 2023 and included a guard of honour by a large contingent of his RFS mates. He joined the Lawson brigade in 1987 at the age of 19 and shortly after faced his first battle with cancer. After seemingly beating the disease Derek dedicated the rest of his life to the brigade as a firefighter, mentor and Station Officer, a role which he held for over 30 years and which he excelled at. Derek was involved in every major bushfire in the State and took part in numerous search and rescues, storm damage and community events. Derek was issued several prestigious awards, and renowned for being the first to arrive at the station and often the last to leave. He was the epitome of a quiet achiever. He'll be greatly missed by all who knew him. His plaque reads: 'We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.'