Kimberley volunteers take home three wins from WA Fire and Emergency Services Awards

The Kimberley was well represented at the 2024 Western Australian Fire and Emergency Services Awards with two rescuers and the Broome Volunteer Fire and Rescue team taking home awards. The awards were presented at a gala dinner in Perth on September 7 recognising excellence in firefighting, emergency management, Marine Rescue and the State Emergency Service. Broome Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service took home the firefighting team achievement award for turning out to an extraordinary 400 incidents since March 2023 and developing a highly professional roster system to ensure efficient response times to the large volume of calls for assistance. DFES marine district officer Bec Benson received the DFES operational staff individual achievement award for her tireless efforts training the next generation of emergency services superstars in the Pilbara and Kimberley. Kununurra Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service volunteer Chais O’Dwyer received the firefighting youth achievement award for her dedication to fostering teamwork, mentoring younger volunteers and supporting professional growth through her active involvement in the VFRS and Youth Emergency Services training programs. Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM said he was incredibly proud of first responders in northern WA given the extreme conditions they’ve faced over the past few years. “Communities in the Pilbara, Kimberley and Mid West Gascoyne are very fortunate to have such a dedicated contingent of emergency services personnel responding to disasters at a moment’s notice — often travelling huge distances to help people in distress,” he said.