- Rescue and firefighting capability boosted for peak tourism and bushfire season
- Cutting-edge appliances include better crew safety and response features
- Cook Government delivering vital services to all Western Australians
The Cook Government has boosted community and first responder safety in the South West during bushfire season by investing $2.49 million in eight new emergency services vehicles for volunteers.
All are now operational as first responders in the region deal with a challenging start to summer, including battling the Wellesley fire which started on 29 December and threatened homes before more than 140 career and volunteer firefighters brought it under control.
Five light tankers have been allocated to Pinjarra Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service and Waroona West, Leschenault, Bunbury, and Roelands/Olive Hills volunteer bushfire brigades.
Each tanker, valued at around $300,000, is fast, mobile, and equipped with advanced off-road capabilities, automated vehicle location, deluge water systems, and in-cab emergency air units.
West Dardanup Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade received a rugged 1.4 tanker valued at $425,000, which can carry 1,400 litres of water and has four-wheel drive and self-inflating/deflating tyres for challenging terrain.
Bunbury State Emergency Service received a general rescue ute and truck, valued at $152,000 and $409,000, with improved crew safety and layouts for 24/7 responses including search and rescue, floods, storms, and other incidents.
The South West region is home to more than 1,500 volunteers across the five services of Bush Fire Brigades, Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services,
Marine Rescue, and State Emergency Service (SES).
The investment is part of the State Government's commitment to building safe and inclusive communities by supporting emergency services to protect the community.
South West volunteers responded to more than 1,880 incidents last year, including 69 large bushfires, 75 structure fires, 70 storm damage incidents, and 221 road crashes. The region has recorded 18 large bushfires between December 2025 and early January.
The Cook Government unveiled a new fire station for Margaret River Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service and handed over five emergency services appliances for the Lower South West region last October, with a combined value of more than $7 million.
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia:
"The South West is one of the most iconic destinations in Western Australia but it's also extremely bushfire prone and has seen incidents from tornadoes to complex cave rescues in recent years.
"Our dedicated emergency services volunteers do outstanding work to keep our community and visitors safe throughout the year and deserve these state-of-the-art appliances.
"The State Government has invested more than $9.5 million in the South West and Lower South West in the past three months, providing brave crews with the best equipment and protection."
As stated by Bunbury MLA Don Punch:
"All our communities deserve gold standard protection, and this investment ensures volunteers in my community in Bunbury, and those in the broader South West region, are ready and supported for whatever the season brings.
"These new vehicles will strengthen the Bunbury SES' ability to respond around the clock to floods, storms, and rescues, keeping the local community safe year-round."
As stated by Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns:
"This investment is about backing our local volunteers and strengthening community safety right across the South West.
"The new tanker will give West Dardanup volunteers the capability to reach fires in difficult terrain and respond faster to protect local lives and property."
