Josh Rickard, of Albury and Border Rescue Squad, is one of 28 finalists in the Rotary Districts of NSW Emergency Services Community Awards.

Other contenders come from Fire and Rescue NSW, Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service, Marine Rescue NSW, Surf Life Saving NSW and NSW Ambulance in an award scheme that recognises all emergency service personnel, both paid and volunteer.

Mr Rickard, 23, became a NSW Volunteer Rescue Association member in 2018 but also contributes to groups such as Carevan Foundation, Red Cross, Country Hope, Nolan House and headspace.

Earlier in 2020, he was named Albury's Young Citizen of the Year.

Mr Rickard told The Border Mail he was "gobsmacked" but honoured to be considered for the RESCA Awards, pointing out the contributions of fellow squad members.

"Every single one of those girls and guys ... they put in so much," he said.

"So I don't see this as a personal award for me, I see this as highlighting their amazing achievements as well."

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Along with practical skills, he has learned more about compassion and empathy by watching the experienced squad members.

"You can't ask for better role models than that," he said.

"When they're out on a job, it's so obvious they care about the people they're trying to help.

"It's the mateship that I really enjoy, it's like having a second family."

Albury and Border Rescue Squad captain Paul Marshall, who himself won a RESCA Award last year, nominated Mr Rickard this time around.

"I just felt that Josh was deserving of that because of what he gives to the squad and what he gives to the community," Mr Marshall said.

As an operational member, Mr Rickard has attended traffic crashes, water searches and supported firefighting operations in the summer bushfires.

"During the fires, twice, three times I think actually, he jumped into a car and went up to the fire front to assist with dropping supplies ... dropping equipment off," Mr Marshall said.

"Every spare minute he has, he's thrown himself into it."

Mr Marshall said the young man's positive attitude caught his attention from the start and that hadn't waned.

"He's still as enthusiastic today," the captain said, adding he'd seen Mr Rickard develop as a member as well.

"Sometimes we just do have to sit back and wait.

"He's really grasped those concepts of 'hurry up and wait' sometimes, which is what we've got to do."

The RESCA Awards will be announced on October 30, with the overall winners to represent NSW at the national awards in November.