Vaccination requirements for fire and emergency services workers removed

Following the latest public health advice, mandatory vaccination requirements for fire and emergency services workers, including volunteers, will no longer be in force from Friday, 10 June 2022.

The Public Health and Safety Measures have been critical in ensuring DFES’ operations were not impacted at the height of the current Omicron wave and gave DFES protection with 94 per cent of DFES staff having received a third dose.  

This led to low rates of workplace transmission during the State’s peak caseload and, more importantly, minimal spread of COVID-19 at incident grounds and frontline operations during bushfire season.

Alternative health and safety measures will be considered for high-risk settings, as DFES will be required to provide frontline services to vulnerable members of the community. 

The disciplinary proceedings and managerial processes which have commenced in relation to a small number of unvaccinated staff will continue.

Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM thanked staff and volunteers for getting vaccinated in a timely manner and keeping Western Australia safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 Media Contact: DFES Media and Corporate Communications 9395 9543