- Nominations open for 2026 WA Fire and Emergency Services (WAFES) Awards
- Two new awards to recognise the efforts of younger people in fire and emergency services
- WAFES Awards recognise the efforts of emergency services volunteers and staff over previous 12 months
The spotlight will be on our State's next generation of community heroes with two new award categories added to the 2026 Western Australian Fire and Emergency Services (WAFES) Awards program.
Each year the WAFES Awards celebrate the outstanding feats of Western Australia's 28,000-strong fire and emergency services volunteers and staff who work to keep the community safe.
Those who have gone above and beyond their regular duties within emergency services can now be nominated for this year's awards via www.dfes.wa.gov.au/wafesawards .
The 2026 program includes 17 awards highlighting the contributions of individuals, teams and young people across Marine Rescue, State Emergency Service (SES), volunteer firefighters, Career Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS), and Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) corporate staff and operational personnel.
Two new awards - DFES Young Person of the Year, open to career firefighters and DFES staff aged 28 years and under, and WAFES Young Person of the Year Award - have been added to the program.
The WAFES Young Person of the Year will be selected from the winnersof each of thefouryoung peopleawards across volunteer firefighting, Marine Rescue, SES, and DFES, which includes the CFRS.
Nominations for the 2026 WAFES Awards close on 23 March 2026. Finalists will be announcedon 4 June 2026 with the winners revealed at a gala dinner on 5 September 2026.
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia:
"Young people play an essential and growing role in Western Australia's emergency services, bringing energy, new ideas, and a strong commitment to community safety.
"The addition of the two awards for WAFES 2026 recognise young people by elevating and celebrating their outstanding contributions to emergency services across the State, whether that be by land, water, or air.
"It's important we recognise those whodemonstrateexceptional dedication,leadership,and commitment to protecting communities across the State.
"The WAFES Awards provide a wonderful opportunity to share stories of courage, innovation, and teamwork that often go unrecognised."
As stated by Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM:
"It has been another hectic year for the fire and emergency services family and the WAFES Awards enable all Western Australians to pay tribute to those who have helped keep them safe.
"DFES volunteer and career personnel have responded to about 27,000 incidents since April 2025, including almost 4,000 bushfires, 2,600 road crashes, and 1,100 structure fires.
"Finalists and winners embody the spirit of service, community, and resilience that defines WA's emergency services.
"It is especially pleasing to have a focus on our younger personnel because their efforts will help strengthen WA's fire and emergency services to meet the challenges ahead."
2026 WAFES Awards categories:
Young Person Awards
- Volunteer Firefighting Young Person of the Year
- Marine Rescue Young Person of the Year
- SES Young Person of the Year
- DFES Young Person of the Year
- WAFES Young Person of the Year
Individual Awards
- Marine Rescue Individual Achievement Award
- Murray Lang Bush Fire Service Award
- Peter Keillor Award
- Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services Individual Achievement Award
- Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services Individual Achievement Award
- Career Fire and Rescue Service Individual Achievement Award
- DFES Operational Staff Individual Achievement Award
- DFES Corporate Staff Individual Achievement Award
Team Awards
- Volunteer Firefighting Team Achievement Award
- Marine Rescue Team Achievement Award
- SES Team Achievement Award
- DFES Staff Team Achievement Award
