LATEST ARTICLES
Bushfire Volunteers highlights the role of change and innovation at Volunteering WA conference
The Volunteering WA State Conference is the primary forum in WA where leaders and practitioners come together to build knowledge, leadership and best practice in the volunteering sector. The 2021 conference theme of ‘Diversity, Power [...]
The West: Volunteer fireys told to roll up for jabs
Health Minister Hon Roger Cook MLA. Photo: The West Volunteer firefighters are the latest group to be included under WA’s sweeping jab mandates. Health Minister Roger Cook confirmed the move on Monday morning, [...]
Countryman: ‘Frustration and confusion’ as volunteer firefighters added to WA’s mandatory vaccination list
Stirling Range bushfire. Credit: Countryman Frustration and confusion has erupted among the State’s 20,000 bushfire volunteers after the State Government backflipped on vaccination mandates for the sector this week. Some are threatening to [...]
State (kind of) mandates COVID-19 vaccinations for emergency service volunteers
Let's be very clear upfront - the Bushfire Volunteers association supports vaccination and encourages everyone who can get vaccinated to do so. However, State Government messaging around its mandatory COVID-19 vaccine regime has cause more [...]
Celebrating Mental Health Week 2021
Mental Health Week is being celebrated from 9-16 October this year, based around World Mental Health Day on October 10. Coordinated by the Western Australian Association for Mental Health, with support from the WA Mental [...]
SW Times: DFES vaccination policy could see volunteer fireys sent home when fires escalates to a Level 3 blaze
A new mandatory vaccination policy introduced to protect frontline firefighters against COVID-19 could force unvaccinated volunteers to either mask-up during a bushfire or leave the fire ground. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services announced [...]
Last chance to have your say: Wooroloo Bushfire Inquiry
Time is almost up for those who would like to help improve the preparation and response to future bushfires by making a submission to the WA Government's Inquiry into the devastating Wooroloo bushfire in February [...]
Notice of 2021 AGM; Call for nominations – Board Members and Zone Representatives
Bushfire Volunteers hereby provides formal notice of its 2021 Annual General Meeting and election of State Committee members. Volunteers from member Bush Fire Brigades are welcome. Please share and distribute this notice. Date Saturday 6 [...]
ABC Country Hour interview with Worksafe Commissioner Darren Kavanagh regarding WHS laws
ABC Country Hour presenter Jessica Hayes interviewed Worksafe Commmissioner Darren Kavanagh about growing concerns that the State's Work Health and Safety Act will have devastating, unforeseen impacts on our volunteer bush fire brigade and farmer [...]
Peak body gives in principle support for DFES Infection Protection Policy but reiterates need for flexibility to meet local challenges
Key Points The peak body for WA’s 20,000+ local government bush fire volunteers gives in principle support for what is currently known about DFES Infection Protection Policy. Bushfire Volunteers urges DFES to ensure final policy [...]
WA Gov’t: Record number of emergency service fuel cards help power volunteering efforts
870 volunteer groups across Western Australia to benefit from $1000 fuel cards Fuel cards will be distributed from this week A record number of emergency service volunteer brigades, groups and units will be rewarded for [...]
WA Govt: Deadline extended for Wooroloo Bushfire inquiry submissions
Submissions for inquiry into Wooroloo Bushfire extended The public has until October 8 to make a submission Audio and visual recordings are welcome The community will have an additional two weeks to make submissions into [...]
R U OK? Day 2021 – Are they really OK? Ask them today
R U OK? is a harm prevention charity that encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times in their lives. R U OK? Day is held annually. The [...]
WA Govt: $38.4 million firefighting package to boost frontline services
Below is a media statement published today by the Hon Reece Whitby MLA as Minister for Emergency Services and various Government MPs. Please see this newspaper article for background and some issues this commitment raises. [...]
WA Govt: Submissions open for inquiry into Wooroloo Bushfire
Submissions for inquiry into Wooroloo Bushfire now open For the first time, the public can submit audio and visual recordings Three-person panel appointed to undertake independent review The public can now make submissions to an [...]
WA Govt: Inquiry into devastating Wooroloo Bushfire
State Government launches inquiry into Wooroloo Bushfire Independent review will be undertaken by the Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council The State Government has launched an independent review into the devastating Wooroloo Bushfire which [...]
ECHO News: Call for bushfire inquiry submissions
THE State’s peak-body for bushfire volunteers has launched its own inquiry into the Wooroloo Bushfire. The Bushfire Volunteers Association is calling on volunteer and career firefighters, residents, local governments and members of the public to share [...]
QwN: Hon Martin Aldridge re lack of inquiry into Wooroloo Bushfire
The following Question Without Notice was asked by the Nationals Member for Agricultural Region Hon Martin Aldridge MLC and answered today in Parliament by Hon Sue Ellery MLC representing the Emergency Services Minister Hon Reece [...]
WA Gov’t: $2.2 million emergency services complex for Gingin
New home for Gingin Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS) and Gingin South Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade (VBFB) State-of-the-art facility can operate as Incident Control Centre to manage large-scale emergencies The State Government will invest [...]
Minister Whitby: Bedfordale Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade Station
The Minister for Emergency Services and Volunteers Hon Reece Whitby MLA made the following positive statement to Parliament earlier today. This BMS shows there is a new openness and generosity afoot - acknowledging the huge [...]