The brigade announced on its Facebook page on Monday that Mr Holland, who joined the NSW RFS in 1956, had died suddenly.

Mr Holland was also known around Bathurst for his work with a number of rural and community community organisations and he was one of the original 200 Bathurst Living Legends named in 2015.

But it was with the RFS that Mr Holland really made his mark and in 2019 he was presented a special medal for his service by NSW RFS Assistant Commissioner Steve Yorke.

Raglan RFS said Mr Holland, a life member of the brigade, would be "sorely missed".

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"Ernie has been a valued member of the NSW Rural Fire Service since 1956," they posted on Facebook.

"Ernie joined the Raglan Brigade in 1998. He took on the role of captain from 2002 to 2005. He was also the brigade's permit officer from 2005 to 2017.

"He received his 60 year Long Service Medal in 2019.

"Ernie was managing air operations at Bathurst Airport during the fire season and was still loading bomber aircraft at the age of 82."

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