In appreciation of their efforts during last year's Canadian wildfires, 13 Department of Fire and Emergency Services staff and volunteers today received Canadian Deployment Recognition Pins.
Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson and Department of Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM presented the recognition pins and thanked staff and volunteers for their heroic efforts.
The special taskforce of Western Australian firefighters was deployed after Australia received a formal request from the Canadian Government to help its crews tackle the worst wildfires the country had experienced in years due to record temperatures.
In British Columbia, a State of Emergency was declared as more than 3,180 personnel were deployed to fight nearly 300 fires sweeping through the province.
The WA contingent featured members who travelled from as far as the Great Southern and Mid-West Gascoyne.
They completed a 30-day deployment in extreme conditions with the WA contingent undertaking important roles including:
- incident controllers;
- fire behaviour analysts; and
- aerial firefighting specialists.
Albany Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service volunteers Benjamin Bunney and Heather Bell announced their engagement while on the deployment.
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
"I am extremely proud that Western Australia was able to answer this call and send an emergency response contingent with such a vast skills set to Canada during these devastating wildfires.
"I thank the Department of Fire and Emergency Services' staff and volunteers who put their hands up to protect the Canadian community.
"Their actions in successfully filling key roles, including incident controllers, fire behaviour analysts and aerial firefighting specialists, will certainly enhance our reputation around the world.
"It is that selflessness, dedication and service under extremely challenging conditions we acknowledge today with the presentation of Canadian Deployment Recognition Pins."
RECIPIENTS
| NAME | SERVICE/REGION |
| Heather Bell | Albany Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service |
| Benjamin Bunney | Albany Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service |
| Lee Shelley | Denmark Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, A/Community Emergency Service Manager Shire of Denmark |
| Jonathon Glasspool | Dunsborough Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service |
| Matthew Stoltenberg | Eaton-Australind Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service |
| Adam Mullaney | Wanneroo Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade |
| Michael Simpson | Waroona Volunteer Fire and Emergency Service |
| Thomas Kusters | Lancelin Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service |
| Matthew Holland | A/District Officer Emergency Management, Mid-West Gascoyne region |
| Nathan Hall | District Officer Emergency Management, Lower South-West region |
| Daniel Katnich | Hope Valley Station Officer, Metropolitan South Coastal region |
| Peter Norman | DFES State Coordination |
| Kloe Archer | DFES State Coordination |
