Shaping the future of emergency services

• Concept Paper released on fire and emergency services legislation

• Community and stakeholders urged to make comment by July 31, 2014

• Move to create one comprehensive Fire and Emergency Services Act

A Concept Paper outlining possible options for simplifying and modernising fire and emergency services legislation has been released today for consultation.

Emergency Services Minister Joe Francis said the State Government was committed to an open and consultative review of the legislation with a vision to make it more effective.

Mr Francis said so much had changed in fire and emergency practices and community expectations since the current legislation was adopted in 1942 during World War II.

"It's time to ensure this legislation is in line with current practices in Western Australia and best practice throughout the world," he said.

"We urge the community and stakeholders to review the Concept Paper and have their say on the future of fire and emergency services in Western Australia.  This is an opportunity for people to provide their view on how to make the fire and emergency services legislation relevant, practical and effective for our State."

The Concept Paper includes legislative options for reducing risk, emergency services in urban areas, volunteer brigades and units, and the Emergency Services Levy.

The legislation review  began in November 2012 with an initial one-year consultation period that was completed in December 2013.  This feedback has been included in the development of the Concept Paper.

Emergency services personnel, stakeholder agencies and members of the public are encouraged to comment on the paper via http://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/legislationreview by the end of July.

If you require any assistance or do not have access to the internet, you can contact the project team on 9395 9763. 

       Fact File

• Fire and emergency services in WA operate under the Fire Brigades Act 1942, Bush Fires Act 1954 and Fire and Emergency Services Act 1998

• In 2006, the Community Development and Justice Standing Committee recommended one comprehensive Act be developed

• Recommendations from other reports and reviews were also considered in the formulation of options contained in the Concept Paper

Minister's office - 6552 6500