Latest news with #VolunteerFireandRescueService
West Australian
18-07-2025
- General
- West Australian
Pilbara's emergency volunteers recognised in prestigious WAFES Awards
The Pilbara's tireless volunteer emergency responders are being celebrated on the state stage, with several local heroes and teams named as finalists in this year's WA Fire and Emergency Services Awards. In Port Hedland, two rising stars from Marine Rescue have earned spots as finalists in the Marine Rescue Young Person of the Year Award category — maintenance officer and senior skipper Lachlan Field and rescue crew member Owen Wells. Mr Field said it was rewarding enough just to be able to assist in Hedland's boating community. 'To be recognised at a state level alongside people who have been volunteering for decades is truly humbling,' he said. 'If you have a trade or a skill, it would be awesome to see more young people giving back to their communities.' Mr Wells said it has been great to give back to Hedland using the skills he has gained through Marine Rescue and his career on the water. 'Being nominated alongside my peers has been a real surprise, and I encourage other young people to just get in and have a crack.' Also flying the flag for Hedland is Natalie Marley from the local Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, nominated for the Individual Achievement Award. Meanwhile, Connie Reed from Newman State Emergency Service is in the running for the Peter Keillor Award. Over in the West Pilbara, the Karratha Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS) has been nominated the Firefighting Team Achievement Award, while lieutenant Riley Mole has been shortlisted for the Firefighting Young Person of the Year Award. Across to Exmouth, David Skene from Marine Rescue Exmouth has been nominated for the Marine Rescue Individual Achievement Award, joined by fellow nominee Scott Williams from Marine Rescue Dampier. Inland, the Tom Price State Emergency Service has also earned well-deserved recognition as a finalist in the State Emergency Service Team Achievement Award.
West Australian
03-06-2025
- General
- West Australian
Pemberton fire captain Jamie Copeland says his spot on Fire and Emergency Services finalist list a team effort
Pemberton's fire captain Jamie Copeland is in the running for a prestigious firefighting award. The patrician of the Pemberton Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, Mr Copeland is a finalist for the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service individual achievement award for his leadership, mentorship and long-term service to the station and community. From establishing Pemberton Youth Emergency Service Cadets program to supporting his fellow firefighters on the field, Mr Copeland has been committed to protecting the region for the last 25 years. Mr Copeland said whilst it is lovely to be recognised, he feels it is unfair for the award to simply recognise individual achievement. 'As the captain of the fire brigade I provide leadership, but like every team, you can't do anything by yourself,' he said. 'I've got just over 25 years of experience as being a volunteer and if I can help guide some of the guys that are less experienced, and we can get the job done in the end, that's kind of what the community expects of us.' Mr Copeland said the role has its challenges, as he and fellow rescuers jump to act whenever needed, and he has seen several confronting things over his time at the station, but it is the support of those around him that allow him to push through. 'One of the big things that people don't really recognise too much as the administrators in the background,' he said. 'They do a heap of work in the background that I couldn't run the organisation without their support.' Also up for an award is the Northcliffe Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service and Northcliffe Bush Fire Brigade, jointly nominated for the firefighting team achievement award for their tireless efforts in battling the Chesapeake fire that burned for more than a month earlier this year. Shire president Donelle Buegge congratulated the nominees and expressed deep gratitude for their commitment. 'These nominations reflect the extraordinary dedication, skill and passion of our local emergency services personnel,' she said. 'On behalf of the Shire of Manjimup, I extend our heartfelt congratulations to Jamie and the Northcliffe teams. 'We thank all fire and emergency services volunteers and staff across the shire for the critical work they do to keep our communities safe.' Winners of the 2025 awards will be announced at the WAFES Awards gala dinner on August 29, 2025.
