- Awards recognise exceptional work of emergency services personnel over past year
- Thirty-five finalists announced across 12 individual and team categories
- Finalists include first responders and personnel who are critical behind the scenes
A Marine Rescue volunteer who swam out to Salmon Rocks in dangerous conditions to save a person’s life and a firefighter who helped save the town of Boddington from an intense bushfire on Christmas Day are some of the inspiring finalists of the 2026 Western Australian Fire and Emergency Services (WAFES) Awards.
Thirty-five finalists are contending across 12 individual and team award categories that serve to recognise those who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and commitment to protecting communities over the past year.
Four young people will soon be announced as award winners for their service awards and finalists of the inaugural WAFES Young Person of the Year Award.
A total of 139 nominations were received across all award categories, with 67 per cent for volunteers.
There are more than 28,000 Department of Fire and Emergency Services volunteers and staff across 2.5 million square kilometres in WA who go above and beyond in their efforts to protect communities all over the State.
Winners will be unveiled at the WAFES Awards gala dinner at Crown Perth on Saturday, 5 September.
For more information visit dfes.wa.gov.au/wafesawards
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia:
“When Western Australians face their worst day, these are the people who step forward.
“Whether it’s battling bushfires, responding to storms, rescuing people from dangerous situations, or supporting communities through recovery, our emergency services personnel repeatedly demonstrate extraordinary courage and commitment.
“What makes these awards special is that they recognise the people behind the uniform – the volunteers, career staff, and support personnel who go above and beyond to keep Western Australians safe.”
“Every finalist should be enormously proud. Their actions have made a real difference to lives, families, and communities across our State.”
INDIVIDUAL AWARD FINALISTS
Career Fire and Rescue Service Individual Achievement Award
Peter McConkey, Senior Firefighter, Wangara Career Fire Station
Ryan Maughan, Senior Firefighter, Midland Career Fire Station
DFES Corporate Staff Individual Achievement Award
Em Burton, Marine Rescue Training Development Coordinator
Mel Haymont, Community Preparedness Advisor
Naomi Findlay, Community Recovery Advisor
DFES Operational Staff Individual Achievement Award
Andrew Strunk, Rescue Officer
Cameron Reyniers, Duty Officer
Karina Skipworth, District Officer Natural Hazards
Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services (VFES) Individual Achievement Award
Adam Conwell, Onslow VFES
Graham Lynn, Bidyadanga VFES
Wayne Kerslake, SWORD VFES
Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS) Individual Achievement Award
Paul Beazley, Denmark VFRS
Clint Pascoe, Wongan Hills VFRS
Ruth Buckley, Port Hedland VFRS
Murray Lang Bush Fire Service Award
Tim Haslam, Popanyinning Bush Fire Brigade (BFB)
Paul Lloyd, Crossman BFB
Chris Hynes, Waterloo BFB
Marine Rescue Individual Achievement Award
David Macmahon, Marine Rescue Esperance
Samantha Gibling, Marine Rescue Rockingham
Sharon Clark, Marine Rescue Onslow
Peter Keillor Award
Ben Whittle, Albany State Emergency Service (SES)
Carl Aitken, Exmouth SES
Daniel Lansom, Wanneroo-Joondalup SES
TEAM AWARD FINALISTS
DFES Staff Team Achievement Award
Perth District Officers
Kalgoorlie Career Fire Station – C Platoon
Trent Duggan, Senior Firefighter, and Travis Eltringham, Senior Firefighter, Urban Search and Rescue
Volunteer Firefighting Team Achievement Award
Denmark VFRS
Nickol Bay BFB
Shire of Ravensthorpe Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades, including West River BFB, North Ravensthorpe BFB, Mount Short BFB, East Ravensthorpe BFB, Jerdacuttup BFB, Cocanarup BFB, Hopetoun Rural BFB, and Munglinup BFB
Marine Rescue Team Achievement Award
Marine Rescue Dampier
Marine Rescue Bunbury
Marine Rescue Windy Harbour and Marine Rescue Augusta
State Emergency Service Team Achievement Award
SWORD SES Logistics
Tom Price SES
Exmouth SES and Karratha SES
.png)
