Plus the training opportunities – both in physical skills as well as in leadership as there were plenty of opportunities to move up the ranks, he said.
When asked about the callouts he's attended in his past 25 years, the senior station officer said he preferred not to talk about them.
But he did let on that a lot of their work didn't involve extinguishing flames.
"We've done a wide range of callouts and yes, we have rescued a cat up a tree," Weir said.
"We've also rescued a 3-year-old off a roof – they fell on there; we've done plane crashes, as in top-dressers – light commercial planes; right through to minor incidents at the refinery.
"There is a lot more to firefighting than just fighting fires," he said.
One of the biggest changes he's since over the past decades has been the hike in callouts for the Ruakākā brigade.
"When I first started in '96 we were very lucky to get 56 calls a year, that was a busy year if we did. Now, we're creeping up to 150 calls a year."
The technology had also evolved to provide far more protection for firefighters than all those years ago, he said.
Weir's dedication to the brigade was made easy by the support of his wife, Pam, and two sons, Callum and Keiran.
He said his boys, now in their early 20s, have always known dad as a firefighter.
"They loved it because they got to sit in the fire truck and come up to the station to see the trucks."
Weir welcomed anyone contemplating joining the brigade of around 30 people. Whether it be in a hands-on role or as operational support, they were all important roles, he said.
"At the end of the day, just rock up to the fire station on training night [Mondays at 7pm] to check it out and if you don't like it there's no pressure to sign up.
"But you'll be welcomed with open arms to come and try it out," he said.
A formal honours ceremony, where Weir will receive his gold star for 25 years of service, is set to be held later this year.
