Volunteer Employer Recognition Awards

2019 award recipients announced

Congratulations to the 2019 Volunteer Employer Recognition Award recipients.

A total of 79 employ​ers have been recognised for their dedication and support of fire and emergency service volunteers.

Click here to see the list of award recipients.

Employers helping to protect our community

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services Volunteer Employer Recognition Awards acknowledge the important contribution employers and self-employed volunteers provide to the community.

Employers of emergency services volunteers including self-employed volunteers play a critical role in protecting the community during natural disasters and emergencies.

At their own cost, businesses release qualified staff to help protect and repair desperate communities impacted by fires, severe storms, cyclones, floods, earthquake, tsunamis and emergencies involving chemical, radiological and biological materials.

Nominations open annually and are assessed against twelve criteria that recognise an employer's contribution against their capacity to provide support to emergency services volunteers.

The Volunteer Employer Recognition Awards is valid for three years from the time of issue.

Currently there are 226 WA employers who are active participants.

There are three levels of recognition for varying levels of employer contribution:

• Gold
• Silver
• Bronze

In categorising the recipients many factors are taken into account including:

• The impact on the day to day running of a business with a volunteer absent
• How long the business has been involved with supporting emergency services volunteering
• If the business lends or donates equipment to local emergency services
• If the business provides financial support, or sponsorship, to local emergency services
• Whether the business promotes emergency services campaigns
• If a written or verbal policy covering emergency services leave arrangements has been developed and made available for employees to use.

• They create positive working relationships within the local community.
• Increased ability to attract and retain skilled staff.
• Increased staff motivation and team morale.
• Positive corporate image.

Successful employers and self-employed volunteers can use the official Volunteer Employer Recognition Awards marketing materials to promote themselves as supporters of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services volunteers.

Which employers are eligible?

Businesses that employ volunteers in the following emergency services supported by DFES are eligible:

• Bush Fire Service
• State Emergency Service
• Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services
• Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services
• Marine Rescue Western Australia
• MAPS-WA
• SWORD

Employers who have not received an award, of equal or greater standing, from DFES in the last two years are eligible.

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