Best of the west honoured at WA Fire and Emergency Services Awards

• 2024 WAFES Awards winners announced at gala event
• Fifteen emergency services champions chosen from group of 44 finalists
• Annual awards celebrate excellence in firefighting, emergency management, Marine Rescue and the State Emergency Service (SES)

A group of marine rescue volunteers that saved five people from shark-infested waters are part of an inspirational group of winners celebrated at the 2024 Western Australian Fire and Emergency Services (WAFES) Awards.

Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said the WAFES Awards acknowledged and recognised the outstanding achievements of WA's emergency services over the past year, who went above and beyond in the line of duty.

Last night's event at Crown Perth was attended by approximately 800 volunteers and career personnel from around WA who gathered to salute the finalists and congratulate the winners.

The 15 awards are split into three categories - individual, team and youth - acknowledging excellence in firefighting, emergency management, Marine Rescue and the State Emergency Service.

A volunteer marine rescue group from Esperance was recognised with the Marine Rescue Team Achievement Award for bravely saving five people who became stranded off the coast of Alexander Bay after their boat was damaged by a shark.

Jack Watson from Tom Price SES took home the SES Youth Achievement Award for his highly skilled work at several rescues at Karijini National Park, including a heart-stopping moment where his team encountered a death adder while carrying a woman to safety.

Lancelin Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service captain Tom Kusters was honoured with the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Individual Achievement Award for his leadership at numerous incidents both at home and abroad. His exploits included responding to an emergency-level bushfire that threatened Lancelin and an arduous deployment to Canada last year where he was dropped in and out of firegrounds by helicopter to help extinguish massive wildfires that ripped through Alberta.

Comments attributed to Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:

"Our firefighters, SES crews, volunteer marine rescue groups and DFES staff don't do their job for the accolades, and that's why these WAFES awards are so important - it's a chance for the rest of us to acknowledge and reflect on their tremendous achievements.

"This year's awards highlight the diverse and dangerous nature of their work - there's no such thing as a 'normal day' in the office or on station.

"Congratulations to all the finalists and the very deserving award winners and a special thank you to all the thousands of volunteers and staff who have kept our communities safe over the past year.

"I encourage the public to get involved and to nominate a person or team you believe is worthy of receiving an award in the future."

2024 WAFES AWARDS WINNERS:

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Murray Lang Bush Fire Service Award

Anthony Mort

Cuballing/Popanyinning Bush Fire Brigade, Upper Great Southern

Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Individual Achievement Award

Tom Kusters

Lancelin Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service

Career Fire and Rescue Service Individual Achievement Award

Mark Papadopoff

Station Officer, Butler Fire Station

Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services Individual Achievement Award

Jessica Jenkins

Marble Bar Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services, Pilbara

Marine Rescue Individual Achievement Award

Cam Bell

Marine Rescue Dampier, Pilbara

Peter Keillor Award (SES)

Danny Jeater

Swan State Emergency Service, Middle Swan

DFES Operational Staff Individual Achievement Award

Bec Benson

District Officer Marine, Kimberley and Pilbara

DFES Corporate Staff Individual Achievement Award

Kathleen Colgate

Land and Buildings Executive Manager, Cockburn Central

TEAM AWARDS

Firefighting Team Achievement Award

Broome Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, Kimberley

State Emergency Service Team Achievement Award

Gary Littlewood and Maxine Burrell, Bassendean State Emergency Service

Marine Rescue Team Achievement Award

Marine Rescue Esperance, Great Southern

DFES Staff Team Achievement Award

Asset Design and Fleet Delivery, Cockburn Central

YOUTH AWARDS

Firefighting Youth Achievement Award

Chais O'Dwyer

Kununurra Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, Kimberley

State Emergency Service Youth Achievement Award

Jack Watson

Tom Price State Emergency Service, Pilbara

Marine Rescue Youth Achievement Award

Tristan Rausch

Marine Rescue Geraldton, Mid West Gascoyne

*Citations on each award winner can be provided on request.

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