Registration through BGU and staff endorsement for the 2023 WAFES Conference has now closed. Volunteers who nominated for the Expression of Interest list still have an opportunity to secure a place in one of four rounds.
BGU endorsements have now closed.
Volunteers who register for the conference agree to attend all sessions in the Saturday conference program and have access to optional events including a Friday tour or workshop, welcome sundowner and WAFES Awards gala dinner.
If you register for the conference and any optional events but do not attend all Saturday conference sessions or any other event you have registered for, without prior notice, you may be deemed ineligible to attend future events.
Make sure you read the 2023 WAFES Conference terms and conditions and are aware of your obligations and cancellation and non-attendance conditions.
BGU endorsements are now open and an email has been sent to all leaders, captains, managers and commanders inviting them to endorse two volunteers from their BGU to attend the WAFES Conference.
BGUs can endorse volunteers to attend by following the two-step process.
After Friday 14 July no further BGU endorsements or BGU-endorsed volunteer registrations will be accepted.
Any remaining conference or WAFES Awards gala dinner places, including cancellations, will be filled by the Expression of Interest process open to all active State Emergency Service, Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services, Bush Fire Service, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services and Marine Rescue volunteers.
BGUs will have the opportunity to review their volunteers who have nominated for the Expression of Interest. A list will be sent to BGU leaders on Wednesday 19 July 2023 for review by Tuesday 25 July.
The Expression of Interest list has now closed.
Volunteers who self nominated for the Expression of Interest list have four opportunities to secure a place for the conference and/or awards.
If successful for rounds one or two volunteers will be notified by email and sent a link to register online. Registrations must be completed by the date outlined in the email.
Volunteers remaining on the Expression of Interest list after Wednesday 30 August will be emailed with last chance places at the conference and/or awards for rounds three or four.
To secure a place in rounds three or four volunteers must complete their conference and/or awards register as soon as possible after they receive the email. Places in these rounds will be allocated on a on a first come, first served basis.
*Please note flight and accommodation options may not be available for regional volunteers during these rounds.
DFES staff can also attend the WAFES Conference.
Each DFES command and region has an allocated number of places at the conference and command heads and superintendents will endorse the appropriate number of staff and personnel to attend.
Priority is given to staff and personnel who work closely with volunteers and would benefit from the professional networking opportunities.
Endorsements and registrations for DFES staff have now closed.
Those who accept a place at the conference agree to attend all sessions in the Saturday conference program and have access to optional events, including the welcome sundowner and WAFES Awards gala dinner. A fee may be payable for attending the dinner for those not attending in a professional working capacity.
Please see the 2023 WAFES Conference terms and conditions for further details.
Volunteers and DFES staff selected as finalists in the 2023 WAFES Awards are reserved a place at the conference in addition to attending the Awards gala dinner.
If their nominator is a DFES volunteer or DFES staff member they are also invited to register for the conference.
WAFES Award finalists and their nominators have received an email with a link to complete their online conference registration, including the WAFES Awards gala dinner ticket.
Individual award finalists may bring one guest to the Awards gala dinner, and team award finalists include two volunteer representatives who may each bring a guest. Gala dinner guests who are DFES volunteers or staff also have the option to register for the conference.