Department of Fire and Emergency Services

Department of Fire and Emergency Services
Government agency logo
Career Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS)
Agency overview
Formed2012
Preceding agency
  • Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia (FESA)
JurisdictionGovernment of Western Australia
MottoWorking together for a safer state
Annual budgetA$345M (2020)
Minister responsible
Agency executive
  • Darren Klemm, Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner
Child agencies
  • State Emergency Service (SES)
  • Bush Fire Service (BFS)
  • Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS)
  • Volunteer Fire and Emergency Service (VFES)
  • Marine Rescue Western Australia
Websitewww.dfes.wa.gov.au

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) is a government department responsible for fire and emergency services in Western Australia. The department came into being in 2012 as a result of the Perth Hills Bushfire. The DFES is responsible for the management, training and funding of career and volunteer services including:

  • Career Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) 29 BGUs (Brigades, Groups and Units), 1,249 members
  • Bushfire Service (BFS) 551 BGUs, 20,227 members
  • State Emergency Service (SES) 64 BGUs, 1,929 members
  • Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services (VFES) 40 BGUs, 1,184 members
  • Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS) 93 BGUs, 2,219 members
  • Marine Rescue Service 39 BGUs, 1,570 members
  • Public Service Officers and Technicians 658 members

The DFES currently employs 1,249 career firefighters and over 600 staff members, as well as over 29,000 volunteers in the six services state-wide.

There are also 2,579 members in the Emergency Services Cadets and Youth programs across five services.