WA employers honoured for backing emergency services volunteers

• Forty-seven businesses celebrated at the 2026 Volunteer Employer Recognition Awards
• Employers recognised for supporting volunteers across WA in emergency services
• Selfless approach plays key role in keeping Western Australian communities safe

Western Australian businesses have been commended for their outstanding support of emergency services volunteers at the 2026 Volunteer Employer Recognition Awards (VERA).

The annual awards recognise employers that go above and beyond to support staff who are emergency services volunteers, enabling them to respond to emergencies, undertake essential training, and help protect communities.

This year, 47 outstanding employers from across the State were recognised for providing paid or extended leave, resources, equipment, and flexible working arrangements that allowed staff to respond to emergencies.

Award recipients represented a diverse range of industries, from small late-night bars to large resource companies.

VERA also acknowledges the self-employed volunteers who often must close their doors or turn down jobs at a moment's notice to attend incidents.

Now in its 18th year, the annual event is run by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services.

Comments attributed to Emergency Services Minister Reece Whitby:

"Behind every emergency services volunteer is a network of support that helps make their service possible and employers are a vital part of that network.

"Volunteering is made possible, in part, by the flexibility and generosity of employers who understand the importance of supporting their staff to serve their communities.

"These businesses play a crucial role in helping keep Western Australians safe and I thank each of the 47 award recipients for the practical support they provide to our emergency services volunteers."

2026 VERA recipients:

• 65Thirty Events and Entertainment
• Abrolhos Electrics
• Airservices Australia Geoff Toms
• Albany Toyota Mark Hill
• Association of Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades WA
• Azure Minerals
• Bechtel Australia
• BHP
• Brunswick Junction Community Resource Centre
• Bunbury Honda
• Bunnings
• City of Bunbury
• Clean Cloth Cotton Traders
• Coolkidz Australia
• Department of Justice
• Elliott's Small Engines
• Ernst & Young
• Fletcher International Exports
• Hula Bar
• Insurance Commission of Western Australia
• Les Cooke Instrument
• LGIS
• Lil Miki's Before and After School Care
• Luke Primavera
• Murchison Diesel
• Naturaliste Diesel Services
• New Edge Painting and Decorating
• Newmont
• Pilbara Meta Maya Regional Aboriginal Corporation
• Pneumatics Direct Australia
• Rio Tinto
• Shire of Pingelly
• South32
• Southwest DIY Garage
• Tom Price Senior High School
• Tyrepower Dongara
• Vossloh
• VPT Group
• Water Corporation
• Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy and Fertilisers
• West Coast NDT
• WesTrac
• Woodsmith Joinery and Furniture
• Woolworths
• Youth Focus