Sub-Officer John Strachan, who will next month mark 32 years in the service, will make the journey to Buckingham Palace to accept his Queen's Fire Service Medal (QFSM) later this year.
There are only half a dozen QFSM's awarded each year recognizing long and exemplary service, and John explained that he had not expected to be chosen alongside chief officers and commissioners for the accolade.
He said: "I'm absolutely chuffed to bits and overwhelmed. I never thought for a minute that I would get it. But I suppose I must be doing something right!"
Stonehaven Fire Station is manned by 'retained' staff, meaning that the firefighters there have other full-time jobs, and are alerted by beeper when they are needed in an emergency. Mr Strachan is a joiner by trade, but is ready to drop everything at a moments notice to fulfill his role as a firefighter.
David Dalziel, who is Chief Fire Officer for Grampian Fire Service, said that he was absolutely delighted for Mr Strachan and the award of the QFSM was a well-deserved recognition for the huge contribution that he has made to the fire and rescue service.
He said: "Firefighters on the retained duty system commit a tremendous amount of time in protecting their local communities. As the Officer in Charge of Stonehaven, John Strachan epitomises all that's best about the public sector. "
"His work with young people in Stonehaven, the road safety message he takes to schools in the area and the strong leadership he displays is terrific. John Strachan is a highly regarded and well respected fire officer who has made such a positive difference to Grampian Fire and Rescue."
Bill Mitchell, who is head of corporate communications for Grampian Fire and Rescue, said: "I am absolutely delighted that John's work has been recognised in this way. It's a great honour for everyone in the Grampian Fire Service that he has been chosen."