Operating costs covered by the levy include running and maintenance of vehicles and facilities, personal protective equipment, operational equipment and consumables.
Capital equipment purchases include firefighting
appliances,
vehicles,
road rescue trailers, flood boats and buildings.
The levy also funds training of
volunteers,
fire investigations,
building inspections, community safety programs, emergency management planning and DFES's administration costs.
The State of the Service document provides an overview of the current state of infrastructure, appliances and other assets that provide DFES and Western Australian local governments the capabilities to respond to emergencies. This document is available on the
publications page.
What the levy does not fund:
The ESL is not used to fund the
Volunteer Marine Rescue Service and
RAC Rescue, the State's emergency rescue helicopter service. While these services are part of DFES, they are funded by the state government, grants, sponsorship and donations.
Volunteer marine rescue groups still need to undertake fundraising to purchase equipment such as new rescue boats. DFES urges the community to continue supporting these hardworking volunteers.
St John Ambulance, WA Police, Surf Life Saving Society and other like services are not funded by the levy.