Fire or life threatening emergencies: 000
Emergency Information: 13 3337
SES Emergency Assistance: 132 500
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.
We advertise publicly available positions here and on the WA Government Jobs Board.
If you’re interested in becoming a firefighter, apply through the DFES website or jobs.wa.gov.au. If there are no current intakes register to hear about upcoming recruitment here.
Find volunteering opportunities in your local area on the Emergency Services Volunteer Recruitment website.
We require all prospective employees to provide a satisfactory current National Police Certificate prior to commencement.
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. You will be someone who is dedicated to supporting our Core Values and what they mean to our organisation and the communities we work with.
Firefighter Recruitment applicants are now closed. The next Firefighter Recruitment campaign is likely to commence around November/December 2022.
A firefighter works as a member of a cohesive and cooperative team, whether involved in emergency response or work associated with maintaining readiness or community safety activities.
A firefighter directly participates in emergency incidents to assist and safeguard people, property and/or the environment including responding to fires, vehicle accidents, rescues and other emergencies. A firefighter must at all times be physically fit and capable of responding to emergency calls and rescuing personnel from life threatening situations. They must be capable of a rapid physical response, which in the case of a property fire with life involvement would include donning personal protective clothing and breathing apparatus, dragging a line of hose and performing a search and rescue operation. They are required to work in awkward positions, often under pressure.
A firefighter must be able to operate vehicles and equipment in emergency and non-emergency situations. They are required to liaise with other agencies, including emergency service personnel, and communicate with members of the public and people under duress.
A firefighter also;
Firefighters work a rotating shift work pattern, being two day shifts 0800 – 1800, followed by two nightshifts 1800 - 0800, followed by a four day break.
You don’t need prior fire and rescue experience. But you do need to be a team player, be adaptable and have the ability to learn new skills and knowledge and apply these in time-critical and stressful environments.
Selection is a multi-stage process. You’ll undergo a number of behavioural, cognitive and physical assessments that align to the requirements of firefighting and DFES Core Values.
Before you can apply, you must meet these four criteria:
When requested during the selection process, you must also provide evidence of the following:
*As of the 15th October 2020, the following HLT units were superseded and replaced by upgraded units:
HLTAID003 Provide first aid
HLTAID011 Provide first aid
HLTAID006 Provide Advanced First Aid
HLTAID014 Provide Advanced First Aid
HLTAID007 Provide Advanced Resuscitation
HLTAID015 Provide advanced resuscitation and oxygen therapy (new first aid pre-requisite)
All training completed on the superseded units will remain valid and recognisable for the following periods:
The recruitment process is highly competitive. You’ll be required to undertake a wide range of assessments over a number of months. It is important to note that not all applicants who are successful in each stage will progress to the next stage of assessment. DFES reserves the right to change these stages and assessments, including throughout the selection process, with minimal notice.
Stages and assessments are subject to change at any time. It is important to note that not all applicants who are successful in each stage will progress to the next stage of assessment. Details of dates, times and location for each assessment stage will be provided to applicants as they progress through the selection process.
Fire and rescue is a job unlike most others. It’s important to consider your expectations and the commitments you’ll need to make before you apply.
You’ll not only be responding to emergency incidents, you’ll play an integral role in fire prevention and educating the community in fire safety.
You could be posted to any regional or metropolitan career fire station, and you must be prepared for the realities of rostered shift work (day and night, seven days a week) plus fixed leave. Until you are appointed to a station permanently, you’ll likely be in the relieving pool working at different stations.
Once commenced on station, firefighters work a cycle of four days on duty followed by four days off. This amounts to an average of 42 hours per week and consists of two 10-hour day shifts (0800 to 1800) followed by two 14-hour night shifts (1800 to 0800). Firefighters are paid for 40 hours per week with the additional two hours per week accruing as additional annual leave.
Current Firefighter Rates of Pay (Inclusive of Allowances, as at 18/11/2021)
Classification
Weekly
Yearly
Trainee
$1,444.10
$75,333.88
5th Class Firefighter
$1,569.50
$81,875.58
4th Class Firefighter
$1,600.80
$83,508.40
3rd Class Firefighter
$1,679.20
$87,598.27
2nd Class Firefighter
$1,726.20
$90,050.10
1st Class Firefighter
$1,883.00
$98,229.83
Senior Firefighter
$1,961.30
$102,314.48
Becoming a firefighter is the first step in a diverse and meaningful career. If you’re selected to attend the Trainee Firefighter School, you’ll be offered a temporary contract to undertake a 21-week intensive training course at the Western Australia Fire and Emergency Services Academy in Forrestfield.
Upon graduation, you’ll be promoted to 5th Class Firefighter and begin working shifts. Over the next five years, you must complete the Firefighter Development Program where you will progress up the ranks to Senior Firefighter. You have the chance to specialise in areas that include Urban Search and Rescue, Training and Instructing, Aerial Rescue, Air Intelligence, Communications, Analysis, Logistics and Fire Investigation.
We support your career and help you make the most of all opportunities. Your progress can take you further into leadership and management roles too.
DFES Trainee Firefighter School
Firefighter Development Program (FDP)
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.
