Bush Fire Brigade Members Information and Forms

Membership Registration Form - New and Existing

 Brigade PPE Order Form

Farm Vehicle Fire Response Stickers

To help police to identify vehicles which can assist in a bushfire response, the Shire encourages owners of such vehicles or machinery to apply for a Fire Response Vehicle Identifier sticker.

The stickers are designed to enable passage of approved vehicles through the vehicle control points (road blocks) where approved by the Incident Controller.

Appliances or machinery without a Vehicle Identifier sticker may be delayed or prevented from assisting in the response.

The Fire Response Vehicle Identifier is for the purpose of fire response vehicles only.

Applicants must read and understand the "Operating Private Equipment at Bushfires" publication and return forms to [email protected] or PO Box 2, Boyup Brook WA 6244.

Stickers for the period ending 30 September 2026 are now available.  Application forms are available from the Shire Administration Office or download HERE

Multiple stickers may be issued to persons with multiple suitable vehicles/equipment.
      Shire of Boyup Brook – Bush Fire Brigade Training Schedule 2026
      Training Title Date Duration Start & Finish times Location Trainer
      MAY
      Rural Fire Awareness (face to face) Sunday 17/05/2026 4-5 hours 1:00pm - 5:00pm Tonebridge Country Club Donna V
      JUNE
      Rural Fire Awareness (face to face) Wednesday 17/06/2026 4-5 hours 1:00pm - 5:00pm Kulikup Hall Donna V
      JULY
      Bushfire Safety Awareness - Day 1 Wednesday 01/07/2026 2 days 9:00am - 3:00pm VFRS - Boyup Brook Chris/Donna V
      Rural Fire Awareness (face to face) Wednesday 15/07/2026 4-5 hours 4:30pm - 9:30pm VFRS - Boyup Brook Colin/Donna
      Bushfire Safety Awareness - Day 2 Wednesday 22/07/2026 9:00am - 3:00pm VFRS - Boyup Brook Chris/Donna V
      Firefighting Skills – Day 1 * Wednesday 29/07/2026 2 days 9:00am - 3:00pm VFRS - Boyup Brook Chris/Donna V
      Firefighting Skills – Day 2 * Thursday 30/07/2026 9:00am - 3:00pm VFRS - Boyup Brook Chris/Donna V
      * Bushfire Safety Awareness is a pre requisite for this course
      AUGUST
      Fire Control Officer Wednesday 05/08/2026 1 day 9:00am - 4:00pm Shire Chambers Chris/Donna V
      Rural Fire Awareness (face to face) Wednesday 12/08/2026 4-5 hours 4:30pm – 9:30pm Mayanup Hall Colin/Donna
      SEPTEMBER
      Advanced Fire Fighter Wednesday 02/09/2026 1 day 9:00am - 4:00pm TBA Chris/Donna V
      Crew Leader Wednesday 09/09/2026 1 day 9:00am - 4:00pm TBA Chris/Donna V
      Rural Fire Awareness (face to face) Wednesday 16/09/2026 4-5 hours 4:30pm – 9:30pm Wilga Hall Colin/Donna
      OCTOBER
      TBC – EM Prep EXPO Friday 02/10/2026 1 day 9:00am - 4:00pm Sandakan Park
      Rural Fire Awareness (face to face) Wednesday 14/10/2026 4-5 hours 4.30 – 9.30pm Shire Chambers Colin/Donna
      AIIMS Awareness (face to face) Wednesday 21/10/206 4-5 hours 4.30 – 9.30pm Shire Chambers Donna V
      Basic/Advanced WAERN Radio Wednesday 28/10/2026 4 hours 4.30 – 8.30pm Shire Chambers Wayne Douglass (SES)
      NOVEMBER
      Rural Fire Awareness (face to face) Wednesday 18/11/2026 4-5 hours 1:00pm - 5:00pm Dinninup/Rhodes Colin/Donna
      Water Bomber Reloading Refresher TBA 3 hours

      Course Descriptions and recommended Participants

      Rural Fire Awareness course provides essential training on fireground safety, suppression strategies, and personal safety for personnel supporting bushfire response. This course promotes safe practices for those operating in rural fire environments.

      Rural Fire Awareness is the recommended minimum standard for all other personnel operating on a fire ground.

      Suitable for:

      • Farmer Response/Private Units
      • Seasonal Workers
      • Shire/Agency Staff
      • Auxiliary members
      • Local Contractors
      • Anyone who could possibly find themselves in a bushfire situation!

      Delivery Options:     

      • Face to Face – 4-5hrs – (includes refreshment and question time) Anyone can come.
      • Online – eAcademy – DFES ID required – 2-3hrs

      Bushfire Safety Awareness (BFSA) course is the foundational level of training provided by DFES. It is designed to ensure that anyone operating in a bushfire environment—whether as a firefighter, support member, or external agency staff—has a baseline understanding of fire behaviour and personal safety.

      Completion of this course is the first step toward achieving the Firefighting Skills (FFS).

      Suitable for:                 

      • Farmer Response/Private Units
      • Seasonal Workers
      • Shire/Agency Staff
      • Auxiliary members
      • Local Contractors
      • Anyone who wants to complete Fire Fighting Skills

      Delivery Options:     

      • Face to Face – 2 Days – (includes refreshment and question time).
      • Blended Online/Face to face option – 1 day plus online time.                                          

      Firefighting Skills (FFS) course is the next critical step in the DFES training pathway. While Bushfire Safety Awareness teaches you how to stay safe, Firefighting Skills teaches you how to actually engage and suppress a fire. It is a highly practical course designed to turn a trainee into a competent, operational firefighter.

      Bushfire Safety Awareness and Firefighting Skills are the minimum standard for all personnel operating on a fire ground, using DFES or Local Government Grant Scheme (LGGS) (or equivalent specification) firefighting appliances.

      Suitable for:                 

      • Anyone who has completed Bushfire Safety Awareness and will be crewing an LGGS appliance (including high-season vehicles)

      Delivery Options:     

      • Face to Face – 2 Days – (includes refreshment and question time). Practical Equipment Operations.

      Fire Control Officer course. As an appointed FCO, a member must complete the DFES Fire Control Officer training pathway.  The Fire Control Officer course is a foundation course covering Statutory Requirements, Incident Control Systems, Compliance (firebreaks & permits), Leadership & Management, managing volunteer dynamics and inter-agency cooperation (e.g., working alongside DFES Career staff or DBCA).

      Suitable for:                 

      • Current FCOs/DFCOs – as a refresher (recommended if you have not done the course in the past 3 years – there have been updates)
      • Newly appointed FCOs and Deputy FCOs – mandatory within the season of appointment.
      • Brigade member development – potential future FCOs

      Delivery Options:     

      • Face to Face – 1 Day – (includes refreshment and question time).

      Advanced Bush Firefighting (ABF) course is a key progression in the DFES training framework, bridging the gap between basic firefighting and leadership roles like Crew Leader. The foundational Firefighting Skills course teaches you how to use equipment, this course focuses on the "why" and "when"—deepening a firefighter's understanding of complex fire behaviour and more strategic suppression methods.

      ABF is often viewed as the "technical prerequisite" for moving into a leadership stream. It provides the grounding needed for Crew Leader (Advanced Bush Fire): Taking charge of a single appliance and its crew, and Sector Commander: Coordinating multiple appliances within a specific geographic area.

      Suitable for:                 

      • To enrol in Advanced Bush Firefighting, members must typically hold:
      1. Bushfire Safety Awareness (BFSA)
      2. Firefighting Skills (FFS)
      3. A period of operational experience (often 12–24 months) to ensure the theory is grounded in fireground reality.

      Target Audience:      

      • This course is strongly recommended for senior volunteer firefighters and is a pathway requirement for those looking to be appointed as a Fire Control Officer (FCO) or Chief/Deputy Chief Fire Control Officer.

      Delivery Options:     

      • Face to Face – 1 Day – (includes refreshment and question time).

      Crew Leader (CL) course is a pivotal leadership qualification within the DFES training framework. It marks the transition from being a supervised firefighter to being the person responsible for the safety of a crew and the tactical success of an appliance (truck).

      In the field, the Crew Leader is the "boots on the ground" supervisor who translates orders from the Incident Controller or Sector Commander into direct action.

      Suitable for:                 

      • To undertake the Crew Leader course, members generally must have:
        • Bushfire Safety Awareness (BFSA)
        • Firefighting Skills (FFS)
        • Advanced Bush Firefighting (ABF)
        • Demonstrated Experience: A significant amount of operational "fireground time" to prove they have the maturity and technical knowledge to lead others.

      AIIMS Awareness course is an entry-level program designed to introduce the Australasian Inter-service Incident Management System (AIIMS). It is the national "common language" used by fire, emergency, and land management agencies across Australia to manage incidents of all sizes and types. This course is often the very first requirement to complete before moving into operational fire training.

      Suitable for:                 

      • Farmer Response/Private Units
      • Seasonal Workers
      • Shire/Agency Staff
      • Auxiliary members
      • Local Contractors

      Delivery Options:     

      • Face to Face – 3-4hrs – (includes refreshment and question time) Anyone can come.
      • Online – eAcademy – DFES ID required – 1hr

      Basic WAERN course (often integrated into Introduction to Communications) is for frontline responders who need to use handheld or vehicle-mounted radios during an incident.

      • Radio Hardware: Identification of the different types of WAERN radios (usually Tait or Simoco brands) and their controls (volume, squelch, channel selector).
      • Channel Selection: Understanding the difference between Regional Channels (for long-distance comms via repeaters) and Simplex Channels (for short-range, line-of-sight comms between trucks).
      • Standard Voice Procedures: Learning the "Prowords" (e.g., Roger, Over, Out, Wait, Correction) and the phonetic alphabet to ensure clarity over the air.
      • The "Red Button": Proper use of the Emergency Button and the protocols that follow an emergency trigger.

      Advanced WAERN course is designed for those in leadership or support roles—such as Crew Leaders, FCOs, or Communications Officers—who need to manage more complex communication environments.

      • Network Architecture: A deeper look at how the repeater network functions across Western Australia and how to troubleshoot "dead spots."
      • Talkgroups & Multi-Agency Comms: How to patch into or communicate with other agencies (SES, VFRS, or DBCA) during a multi-agency response.
      • Scanning & Monitoring: Techniques for monitoring multiple channels (e.g., a Fireground channel and a Divisional Command channel) without missing critical information.
      • Strategic Comms: Managing radio traffic during high-intensity periods to prevent "stepping on" other users and ensuring the highest priority messages (SitReps and Emergencies) get through.

      Suitable for:                

      • Farmer Response/Private Units

      Delivery Options:     

      • Basic/Adv = Face to Face – 4-5hrs – (includes refreshment and question time).                                

      Volunteer Hub Link for Volunteers:  https://www.volunteerhub.dfes.wa.gov.au/