Employment and Volunteering

From career firefighting and corporate roles, to volunteering across six emergency services, we offer something for everyone. Join us as we work together for a safer State.

As Western Australia’s leading hazard management agency, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) performs a critical role coordinating emergency services for a range of natural disasters and emergency incidents threatening life and property.

DFES’ vision is all Western Australians Working Together for a Safer State.

The staff and volunteers who make up DFES are integral to attaining our shared purpose of achieving a safer Western Australia, by enabling and protecting the community before, during and after emergencies.

By empowering our people, we create a diverse and capable organisation where we are united and supportive, allowing us to work better together. It’s crucial that as a collective, our employees, volunteers and the general public have all the tools they need to safely and effectively manage emergency events.

A people-focused organisation

We’re an organisation that’s all about people, and we offer a wide variety of roles to match your abilities, skills and interests. You can be active out on the frontline in firefighting, emergency services and sea rescue positions. Or you can play one of the many critical support roles behind the scenes to help make things possible.

Wherever you serve, your professional development matters, and we offer excellent training. We’re as diverse as the communities you’ll work with and we encourage you to join us, whatever your background, to help create a safer WA.

Benefits of working with DFES

DFES is a unique agency that offers diverse opportunities outside of those of a 9 to 5 job. Corporate staff can be part of State Duty Roster and Pre-formed teams, receiving hands-on experience and contributing during activations for emergency incidents.

Staff on these rosters receive an on-call allowance and generous overtime rates if activated.

In addition to a great salary and being part of something rewarding with key networking opportunities.

Our corporate employees enjoy a range of benefits which include:

Generous superannuation options with the Fire & Emergency Services Superannuation Fund.

Flexible working hours and attendance patterns to suit work and personal commitments.

Free 24/7 access to an on-site gym.

Three Public Service Holidays each year, in addition to annual leave entitlement.

Long service leave after 7 years.

Psychological Support Services for you and immediate family living at home.

Access to salary packaging options.

Professional career development opportunities.

DFES values

Teamwork

We are strongest when we work together. We value the skills and attributes each person brings and the role they play.

Trust

We rely on each other. We always treat each other with respect and act with integrity.

Leadership

We encourage people to lead through action and attitude. We nurture leadership in ourselves and our communities.

Commitment

We are dedicated to getting the best outcomes for our community. We go above and beyond to be prepared for the unexpected.

At DFES, we all commit ourselves to four clear values: teamwork, trust, leadership and commitment.

Workforce diversity and inclusion matters

Wherever you serve, your professional development matters, and we offer excellent training. We’re as diverse as the communities you’ll work with and we encourage you to join us, whatever your background, to help create a safer WA.

All DFES personnel are recognised and valued for their differences in an environment that is free from discrimination and the negative effects of bias, both conscious and unconscious.

People from culturally diverse backgrounds, Aboriginal Australians and people with a disability are all encouraged to apply to work with DFES. DFES may prioritise recruitment decisions based on the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA).

Equal opportunity

At DFES, we consider it the right of every employee and volunteer to carry out their job in an environment that is free from all forms of harassment, discrimination and victimisation. Equal Employment Opportunity  is based on the principle that every person has the right to be assessed fairly for a job on merit.

Reasonable adjustments

Current opportunities

Career firefighter recruitment

Becoming a career firefighter is more than simply taking on a job. It’s a step into a career that really matters. At DFES, we look for passionate people who are committed to supporting our vision and our mission. We look for qualities like courage, commitment, and compassion. The ideal firefighter might surprise you.

Firefighter recruitment applications have closed. Register your interest to be notified of future rounds of firefighter recruitment.

Volunteer recruitment

A role for everyone

Six services to choose from

Make lifelong friends

Give back to your community

Being a volunteer is a rewarding experience. It’s a chance to give back to your local community by helping to look after their safety and wellbeing. We are a volunteer-based organisation, and we rely on our volunteers’ compassion, commitment and knowledge to deliver emergency assistance and support to WA.

As a volunteer, you can be active out on the frontline in firefighting, emergency services, and marine rescue roles. Or you can join the important teams who work behind the scenes to help make a difference. However you give your time, you’ll be helping communities keep our State safer before, during and after emergencies.

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