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Major honours for northern WA emergency services volunteers
Sunday 6 September 2026
A volunteer firefighter who put his community’s needs before his own during Tropical Cyclone Narelle and a Marine Rescue team that stopped at nothing to rescue passengers from a grounded vessel are among the winners of the 2026 Western Australian Fire and Emergency Services (WAFES) Awards from the State’s north. Read the full release for Major honours for northern WA emergency services volunteers
A volunteer firefighter who put his community’s needs before his own during Tropical Cyclone Narelle and a Marine Rescue team that stopped at nothing to rescue passengers from a grounded vessel are among the winners of the 2026 Western Australian Fire and Emergency Services (WAFES) Awards from the State’s north. Read the full release for Major honours for northern WA emergency services volunteers
Major honours for northern WA emergency services volunteers
Sunday 6 September 2026
A volunteer firefighter who put his community’s needs before his own during Tropical Cyclone Narelle and a Marine Rescue team that stopped at nothing to rescue passengers from a grounded vessel are among the winners of the 2026 Western Australian Fire and Emergency Services (WAFES) Awards from the State’s north. Read the full release for Major honours for northern WA emergency services volunteers
DFES Media Releases
A new era for bushfire mitigation in Western Australia
Tuesday 15 September 2026
From new facilities and equipment to a specially trained workforce, the DFES State Bushfire Mitigation branch is expanding its capability and capacity to protect land and communities across Western Australia.
Read story about A new era for bushfire mitigation in Western Australia-
Finalists announced
WA Fire and Emergency Services (WAFES) Awards
Toggle more informationWA Fire and Emergency Services (WAFES) Awards
Closed 08/04/2026
Finalists announced
The awards honour and acknowledge the achievements of volunteers, career firefighters and DFES staff who have shown exceptional dedication to duty over the past 12 months. Congratulations to this year’s individual and team finalists and young people award winners who have been selected from a pool of exceptional nominations. Winners will be announced at the awards gala dinner on Saturday 5 September.
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Winners announced
Resilient Australia Awards
Toggle more informationResilient Australia Awards
Closed 07/06/2024
Winners announced
The Resilient Australia Awards celebrate and promote initiatives that build whole of community resilience to disasters and emergencies around Australia, as well as images capturing resilience in action. They also recognise collaboration and innovative thinking across all sectors.
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Nominations Closed
Volunteer Employer Recognition Awards
Toggle more informationVolunteer Employer Recognition Awards
Closed 03/08/2026
Nominations Closed
The Volunteer Employer Recognition Awards acknowledge the important role employers and self-employed volunteers play in the delivery of emergency services across Western Australia, where more than 95 percent of emergency services personnel are volunteers.
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Recipients announced
Youth Programs Awards
Toggle more informationYouth Programs Awards
Closed 08/07/2021
Recipients announced
The Youth Programs Awards recognise those who have made a significant contribution to emergency services youth programs, DFES, and/or their local community through their actions, programs or initiatives.
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Nominations open
Australian Honours and Awards
Toggle more informationAustralian Honours and Awards
Closes 08/07/2030
Nominations open
DFES staff and volunteers are eligible to apply or nominate for honours and awards administered by the Australian Honours and Awards Secretariat in Canberra. This system recognises the outstanding service and contributions of Australians.
Find out more
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WA Fire and Emergency Services (WAFES) Conference
Toggle more informationWA Fire and Emergency Services (WAFES) Conference
This annual event celebrates the collaboration and camaraderie of our emergency services as we work towards creating a safer State. Find out more.
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International Firefighters’ Day
Toggle more informationInternational Firefighters’ Day
International Firefighters’ Day is observed on the 4th of May each year. On this day we pay our respects to volunteer and career firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Find out more.
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National Volunteer Week
Toggle more informationNational Volunteer Week
National Volunteer Week is a chance for us to celebrate and recognise the vital work of our emergency services volunteers and to formally thank them for their enormous contribution to the community.
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