- 45 finalists from across the State recognised for outstanding service
- Western Australian Fire and Emergency Services (WAFES) Awards open to all DFES career firefighters, volunteers and staff
- Winners to be announced at WAFES Awards gala dinner on 29 August
Brigade volunteers who battled a bushfire that burned for 34 days in difficult terrain and crews that travelled 130 kilometres alongside Pilbara flood waters to rescue stranded motorists during a cyclone are among the finalists for the 2025 Western Australian Fire and Emergency Services (WAFES) Awards.
Each year the awards highlight the outstanding contributions of our valiant emergency services personnel who help protect communities across the State.
There are more than 29,000 volunteers and staff in WA's emergency services family and they can be called on 24 hours a day, seven days a week to prepare, respond and aid the recovery from cyclones, floods, fires, storms, land and sea rescues and hazardous smoke and material spills.
This year there are 45 finalists vying for 15 WAFES Awards which highlight the excellence of individuals, teams and youth in firefighting, Marine Rescue and State Emergency Service and staff.
Several of the 2025 finalists were involved in major emergencies, including Severe Tropical Cyclone Sean and Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia, the Cervantes bushfire, national park rescues and a number of serious traffic accidents.
Other nominations acknowledge finalists who have excelled in emergency preparedness or community education and engagement.
The winners will be revealed at the WAFES Awards gala dinner at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday, 29 August.
Further details are available at https://dfes.wa.gov.au/wafesawards
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia:
"Every day of the year our emergency services personnel come to the aid of communities in danger.
"They are the people across our vast State we rely on to respond to hazards and help us rebuild after major incidents.
"Their commitment to keeping us safe needs to be recognised and the awards are a wonderful opportunity to hear their stories and learn of the obstacles overcome to keep us safe.
"This year's awards finalists come from all corners of our vast State and represent a wide range of emergency services that are so important in protecting all Western Australians."
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Career Fire and Rescue Individual Achievement Award
Dain Hutton, Firefighter, Rockingham Fire Station
Sam Collins, Firefighter, Belmont Fire Station
Tod Bergersen, Station Officer, Cardup Fire Station
DFES Corporate Staff Individual Achievement Award
Aaron Kain, Bushfire Risk Management Officer
David Windsor, Cultural Fire and Partnerships Coordinator
Tayissa Sweetlove, Principal Project Consultant
DFES Operational Staff Individual Achievement Award
Ian Anderson, Academy Instructor
Renee Klein, Marine Services Officer
Stephen Petersen, District Officer Esperance
Marine Rescue Individual Achievement Award
David Skene, Marine Rescue Exmouth
Owen Rouse, Marine Rescue Derby
Scott Williams, Marine Rescue Dampier
Murray Lang Bush Fire Service Award
Jeff McDougall, Gelorup Bush Fire Brigade
Paul Blight, Yallingup Coastal Bush Fire Brigade
Xavier White, Ballaying Bush Fire Brigade
Peter Keillor Award
Amy Drage, Geraldton-Greenough State Emergency Service
Connie Reed, Newman State Emergency Service
Leslie Hayter, Margaret River State Emergency Service
Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services Individual Achievement Award
Carlos Veldscholte, Wyndham Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services
Jayson Lindsay, Cervantes Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services
Peter Buckenara, Bremer Bay Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services
Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Individual Achievement Award
Amelia Fitzgerald, Esperance Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service
Jamie Copeland, Pemberton Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service
Natalie Marley, Port Hedland Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service
TEAM AWARDS
DFES Staff Team Achievement Award
Public Information
Bushfire Centre of Excellence
State Operational Support Fleet
Firefighting Team Achievement Award
Karratha Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service
Mandurah Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service
Northcliffe Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service and Northcliffe Bush Fire Brigade
Marine Rescue Team Achievement Award
Marine Rescue Carnarvon
Marine Rescue East Kimberley
Marine Rescue Esperance
State Emergency Service Team Achievement Award
Esperance State Emergency Service
Kununurra State Emergency Service
Tom Price State Emergency Service
YOUTH AWARDS
Firefighting Young Person of the Year Award
Dylan Goldup, Kununurra Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service
Lachlan Bormolini, Bedfordale Bush Fire Brigade
Riley Mole, Karratha Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service
Marine Rescue Young Person of the Year Award
Fraser Boulter, Marine Rescue Fremantle
Lachlan Field, Marine Rescue Port Hedland
Owen Wells, Marine Rescue Port Hedland
State Emergency Service Young Person of the Year Award
Joshua Yates, Margaret River State Emergency Service
Lucas Fraser, Communications Support State Emergency Service
Riley Symington, Mandurah State Emergency Service
