Caringbah firefighter Darren Bofinger has received a commendation for courageous action after saving two people from wild surf at Merry Beach at Kiola.
He was among 35 firefighters recognised with awards for risking their lives to help others both in Australia and overseas.
The off-duty station officer was packing up camping gear on January 29, 2015, when he noticed a couple in distress in the water.
Without hesitation, he grabbed his surfboard from the car and paddled out to them.
While he was helping the woman, another man on a board arrived to help.
Despite the large swell and a strong rip he managed to bring the woman back to the beach.
He then went into the water again to help the two remaining men back to safety.
A number of other local firefighters were recognised with a humanitarian overseas service medal for their deployment to Japan.
Inspector Gary Meagher, Station Officer David Cross, Station Officer Rodney Davis, Station Officer Craig Vincent, Leading Firefighter Michael Packham and Senior Firefighter Pavel Novotny were among 27 firefighters to receive the medal.
They were part of a search and rescue deployment sent after the Japan earthquake and tsunami in 2011.
They spent a week in Minami Sanriku searching the wreckage in extremely difficult conditions.
Scott Farlow MLC presented the awards during a special ceremony earlier this week.
“The courage and determination of all those involved cannot be overstated,” he said.
“The presentation was an opportunity to formally acknowledge the actions of those who went above and beyond to help others and I commend them for their bravery, skills and professionalism.”