Fire and emergency services personnel recognised at 2025 WA awards
Iain Hoey
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Awards celebrate contributions of emergency services
Fifteen individuals and teams have been recognised for their work in fire and emergency services at the 2025 Western Australian Fire and Emergency Services (WAFES) Awards.
The WA Government reported that the awards were presented at a Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) gala dinner at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, with winners selected from 45 finalists.
The awards celebrate contributions from more than 28,000 career and volunteer personnel across Western Australia.
The ceremony highlights achievements in firefighting, emergency management, marine rescue and the State Emergency Service (SES).
Karratha Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service received the Firefighting Team Achievement Award for rescuing a family stranded by floodwaters after Tropical Cyclone Sean.
Marine Rescue Carnarvon team was recognised for saving a sailor 70 kilometres offshore and bringing him to shore for urgent medical treatment.
Other awards highlighted individual contributions, including Sam Collins, a Belmont firefighter, who was named Career Fire and Rescue Individual Achievement Award winner for organising hospital visits to sick children.
Individual achievements recognised
Several individual personnel were recognised for their roles across different branches of emergency services.
Dylan Goldup from Kununurra Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service was awarded Firefighting Young Person of the Year.
Joshua Yates, aged 18, from Margaret River SES, received the SES Young Person of the Year award for his role in Bunbury storm recovery and deployment to Queensland after a tropical cyclone.
Corporate and operational staff were also acknowledged with Bushfire Risk Management Officer Aaron Kain received the DFES Corporate Staff Individual Achievement Award, while Academy Instructor Ian Anderson was given the DFES Operational Staff Individual Achievement Award.
The government explained that further recognition was given through the Murray Lang Bush Fire Service Award to Jeff McDougall of Gelorup Bush Fire Brigade and the Peter Keillor Award to Connie Reed of Newman SES.
Community and volunteer recognition
The WA Government reported that volunteers formed a strong part of the awards.
Amelia Fitzgerald from Esperance Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service was named Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Individual Achievement Award winner.
Carlos Veldscholte of Wyndham Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services was awarded Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services Individual Achievement Award.
It continued that Marine Rescue volunteers were also recognised.
Owen Rouse of Marine Rescue Derby received the Marine Rescue Individual Achievement Award, while Fraser Boulter from Marine Rescue Fremantle was named Marine Rescue Young Person of the Year
Team recognition extended to Esperance SES, which won the SES Team Achievement Award, and the DFES Public Information Team, which was named DFES Staff Team Achievement Award winner.
Minister comments on awards
Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia said: “Every Western Australian is proud of the work our fire and emergency services personnel do to keep us safe every day of the year, before, during and after emergencies.
“Our dedicated brigades, groups and units operate in dangerous and high-pressured circumstances, and it is important we recognise their contribution to protecting communities across Western Australia.
“The WAFES Awards again highlight the outstanding efforts by a group of emergency services champions and I am proud to hear their stories and achievements.
“I encourage you to support your emergency services personnel by nominating someone or a team you believe is worthy of receiving an award in the future.”
Commissioner comments on personnel
Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM said: “It has been another busy 12 months for our fire and emergency services, answering the calls to respond to floods, fires, storms and rescues across our vast State, interstate and even overseas.
“We can be proud of all our personnel who provide exceptional service to communities all over WA, often in tough and testing circumstances.
“Each year there are those who have exceeded expectations in their normal roles.
“The WAFES Awards enable us to recognise our highest achievers. I congratulate all finalists and winners for their outstanding efforts in fire and emergency services.”
Connection with wider emergency services activity
The awards coincided with Perth hosting the annual AFAC conference and exhibition.
The event was conducted by AFAC, the Australia and New Zealand council of fire and emergency services, and included participation from DFES personnel.
The conference showcased operational practices, skills and strategies from agencies across the sector.
The combined focus on recognition and professional engagement reflected the scale of emergency services work in Western Australia.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
The recognition of fire and emergency services personnel highlights practical examples of performance in emergency response.
The awards also demonstrate the range of roles within fire and safety organisations, spanning career firefighters, volunteers, operational staff and corporate personnel.
The event links directly with professional development activities in the sector, aligning recognition with training and strategic exchange through the AFAC conference.
Fire and safety professionals can view these awards as an indication of standards applied within emergency services and the value placed on both individual and team achievements.
Fire and emergency services personnel recognised at 2025 WA awards: Summary
Fifteen winners were announced at the 2025 Western Australian Fire and Emergency Services Awards.
The WA Government reported that the awards were presented at a DFES gala dinner in Perth.
Winners were selected from 45 finalists across emergency services branches.
The Karratha Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service received the Firefighting Team Achievement Award.
Marine Rescue Carnarvon was honoured for saving a sailor offshore.
Belmont firefighter Sam Collins received the Career Fire and Rescue Individual Achievement Award.
SES Young Person of the Year was awarded to Joshua Yates from Margaret River SES.
Firefighting Young Person of the Year was awarded to Dylan Goldup from Kununurra Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service.
Other awards recognised personnel from SES, Marine Rescue, Bush Fire Service and DFES staff.
Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia commented on the importance of recognising personnel.
Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM congratulated all finalists and winners.
The awards coincided with Perth hosting the annual AFAC conference and exhibition.