Mr McIntosh was among the 23 people remembered at a national memorial service on last Wednesday, honouring emergency service workers who died in the line of duty.

Mr McTonish was a volunteer firefighter from Kurri Kurri in NSW, who died in 1965 aged 26, after collapsing while fighting a blaze.

His wife Evon was at the ceremony, along with his helmet and photograph, held at Rond Terrace in Canberra.

"By trade, he was a motor mechanic but he always had a love for the fire brigade," she said.

"His father before him was a volunteer fireman in Weston. He used to attend the fires, helping his father before he had a position with the Kurri brigade.

"His lifelong passion was to join the permanent brigade so being a volunteer was the next best thing.

"It was his life and he loved it." Mrs McIntosh fondly remembered her husband's pride and excitement when he found out he had been accepted in the volunteer brigade.

Now, she says the service was particularly significant for her son Glen, who was just nine months old when his father died.

"It was very good for my son, Glen, and his children - Peter's grandchildren," Mrs McIntosh said.

"Glen doesn't have any memories of his father so I think it's quite moving for him. It was quite an honour.

"It was a very moving service. Peter never did this for recognition, he was a firemen because he loved it."

The families of the 23 emergency service workers honoured at the service were presented with medallions by Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove.

In his address, Sir Cosgrove said it was important for the sacrifice made by emergency workers to always be remembered.

"When disaster strikes, it's the men and women of our emergency services who come ready to our aid," Sir Cosgrose said.

"We'll honour them with wreaths and medallions, but more importantly, we'll do it with our hearts and reflections."

Mr McIntosh's name will join the 528 others listed at the national memorial at Rond Terrace since it was built last year.