- Nominations open for WA Fire and Emergency Services (WAFES) Awards
- Awards recognise emergency services volunteers and staff for contributions
Western Australians have been encouraged to nominate outstanding fire and emergency services staff and volunteers for their lifesaving efforts across firefighting, Marine Rescue and State Emergency Services over the past year.
Nominations opened today for the annual WA Fire and Emergency Services (WAFES) Awards which recognise individuals and teams for going above and beyond to protect their community and improving operations.
This year there are 15 awards with the addition of a new Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) Staff Team Achievement Award.
Last year's winners included Marine Rescue volunteers who saved people from treacherous waters after their yacht sunk, a career firefighter who travelled to Fiji to help with the pandemic response and a teenage State Emergency Service (SES) volunteer who made a lasting impact on the mental health and wellbeing of her unit and helped boost recruitment.
DFES personnel have responded to more than 15,000 incidents since April 2022, including 4250 bushfires, 2668 road crash rescues and 1551 weather-related incidents including storms, cyclones and flood damage.
Nominations close on Monday, 3 April 2023. Finalists will be announced on
Tuesday, 30 May with the winners named at the WAFES Awards gala dinner later this year.
To nominate a DFES volunteer or staff member, visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au/wafesawards
Comments attributed to Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
"Emergency services staff and volunteers perform extraordinary acts every day.
"While these people don't do the job for recognition, the WAFES awards are a chance to highlight their commitment and bravery.
"As well as saving lives and homes, volunteer and career personnel are also working behind the scenes to make Western Australia a safer State by helping people prepare for emergencies and reduce bushfire risk, as well as assisting communities in their recovery from disasters.
"I encourage everyone to consider nominating an individual or a team for one of the 15 categories including youth achievement, operational and corporate areas and volunteer services."
Comments attributed to Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM:
"The past year has been incredibly busy with ongoing disaster recovery as well as complex incidents including the Kimberley floods.
"Staff and volunteers have performed key roles including working as frontline responders and managing these challenging incidents.
"More than 200 also stepped up and travelled across the country to lend a hand when devastating floods hit New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
"I am very proud of the dedication and excellence demonstrated by the Emergency Services sector and look forward to celebrating their achievements at the WAFES awards."
Minister's office - 6552 5800
LAST YEAR'S WINNERS
Youth Awards
Firefighting Youth Achievement Award
Ayden Stenton, Glen Forrest Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
Marine Rescue Youth Achievement Award
James Cotter, Marine Rescue Carnarvon
State Emergency Service Youth Achievement Award
Cassidy Kempster, Northshore State Emergency Service
Individual Awards
Career Fire and Rescue Service Individual Achievement Award
Tony Gaynor, Station Officer, Rockingham Fire Station
DFES Operational Staff Individual Achievement Award
Peter Thomas, District Officer Fire Capes
DFES Corporate Staff Individual Achievement Award
Lurline Byles, Coordinator Digital Communications
Marine Rescue Individual Achievement Award
Emmie Burton, Marine Rescue Dampier
Murray Lang Bush Fire Service Award
Edwin Bland, Bridgetown Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
Peter Keillor Award
Colin Nicholson (deceased), Collie State Emergency Service
Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Individual Achievement Award
Craig Doyle, Broome Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service
Team Awards
Firefighting Team Achievement Award
Gelorup Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
Marine Rescue Team Achievement Award
Marine Rescue Jurien Bay
State Emergency Service Team Achievement Award
SWORD State Emergency Service Logistics
