Western Power has provided almost $50,000 in funding to 48 volunteer bushfire brigades throughout the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) in recognition of the critical role they play in protecting communities and the environment.
Chief Executive Officer Sam Barbaro said the grants were distributed across 23 local government areas and highlighted Western Power’s commitment to supporting local communities.
“Our grants program serves and recognises the dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly to protect our community from the devastating effects of bushfires,” Mr Barbaro said.
“It enables brigades to purchase additional equipment to support their daily operations that can’t be purchased under the State Government’s Emergency Services Levy. I understand that brigades this year purchased items such as equipment bags, shade structures, iPads, generators, pumps and hoses.
“With our Western Power field crews also responding to emergencies caused by bushfires and severe weather events, we understand the importance of having the equipment needed to support the carrying out of their duties safely and efficiently.”
The Wannamal Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade in the Shire of Chittering received funding to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) kits bags and insulated water bottles for 20 of their volunteers.
“Our brigade volunteers drop everything at a moment’s notice to help during bushfires and emergencies and our community is reliant on them to protect life and property,” Brigade Captain Daniel Smith said.
“The PPE kit bags will ensure our team have all of their equipment in one place and in good condition so they can respond as quickly as possible and the reusable insulated water bottles will ensure they have access to cold water when needed while also reducing waste from disposable plastic.”
The Gingin West Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade received funding to purchase an iPad, blower vacuum and BBQ to support their operations.
“The iPad will be mounted in our fire truck to provide access to vehicle location tracking data and assist with navigation during bushfires,” Brigade Captain James Morton said.
“The blower vacuum will assist our volunteers in cleaning our station and equipment more efficiently and the BBQ will help us to feed the team and create much needed social time at the end of a long hard day.”
The Yallingup Rural Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade received funding to mount an awning to their support vehicle. This will provide shade for their auxiliary members who support the brigade with water resupplies during bushfires.
“Our auxiliary members spend considerable hours around waterways with little sun protection sourcing additional water to support our brigade’s firefighting efforts,” Brigade Captain and Fire Control Officer Matt Muir said.
“We are so grateful to Western Power for this grant which will provide much needed sun protection to these volunteers who provide such an essential service to our brigade and our community.”
Bushfire Volunteers President Lorraine Webster said they are proud to collaborate with Western Power once again to deliver grant funding to both the association and its incredible member brigades across the SWIS.
“The support that Western Power has provided to our members over the years has been invaluable. This has enabled many brigades to procure critical equipment and services and reduce the amount of time our already busy volunteers have to spend fundraising,” she said.
To learn more about preparing for the bushfire season visit westernpower.com.au/safety/bushfire-safety.
Western Power Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade grant recipients 2023
Great Southern
- City of Albany - Highway Volunteer Fire Brigade
- Shire of Cranbrook - Cranbrook Town Volunteer Bushfire Brigade
- Shire of Denmark - Carmathen Volunteer Bushfire Brigade
- Shire of Denmark - Mt Lindesay Volunteer Bushfire Brigade
- Shire of Denmark - Ocean Beach Volunteer Bushfire Brigade
- Shire of Kojonup - Orchid Valley Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
Perth/Peel
- Shire of Boddington - Crossman Volunteer Bushfire Brigade
- Shire of Mundaring - Darling Range Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
- Shire of Mundaring - Mundaring Firefighters School
- Shire of Murray - North Dandalup Volunteer Bushfire Brigade
- Shire of Murray - West Murray Volunteer Bushfire Brigade
- Shire of Waroona - Waroona West Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
- Shire of Waroona - Preston Beach Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
South West
- City of Busselton - Kaloorup & Districts Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
- City of Busselton - Yallingup Rural Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
- Shire of Augusta-Margaret River - Cowaramup Volunteer Bushfire Brigade
- Shire of Augusta-Margaret River - Molloy Island Volunteer Bushfire Brigade
- Shire of Boyup Brook - Tweed Volunteer Bushfire Brigade
- Shire of Capel - Capel Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
- Shire of Capel - Gelorup Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
- Shire of Collie - Allanson Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
- Shire of Dardanup - Dardanup Central Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
- Shire of Dardanup - Upper Ferguson Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
- Shire of Dardanup - Wellington Mills Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
- *Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup - Argyle Irishtown VBFB, Balingup VBFB, Ferndale VBFB, Lowden VBFB, Mullalyup VBFB, Mumballup VBFB, Munro VBFB, Upper Capel VBFB
- Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup - Donnybrook Town Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
- Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup - Kirup Volunteer Bushfire Brigade
- Shire of Nannup - Nannup Brook Volunteer Bush fire Brigade
Wheatbelt
- Shire of Chittering - Bindoon Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
- Shire of Chittering - Upper Chittering Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
- Shire of Chittering - Wannamal Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
- Shire of Cuballing - Popanyinning Volunteer Bushfire Brigade
- Shire of Gingin - Gingin West Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
- Shire of Northam - Grass Valley Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
- Shire of Pingelly – West Pingelly Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
- Shire of Wandering - Hastings Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
- *Shire of Victoria Plains Brigades - Calingiri VBFB, Yerecoin VBFB, Mogumber VBFB, New Norcia VBFB, Bolgart VBFB
Note: shires marked with * applied for grant funding on behalf of their brigades.