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• Nearly 60 WA businesses honoured at Volunteer Employer Recognition Awards
• Selfless approach plays key role in keeping Western Australian communities safe
• Cook Government thanks volunteers for their key role in boosting community safety

Western Australian businesses have been celebrated for their unwavering support of emergency services volunteers over the past year at the 2023 Volunteer Employer Recognition Awards (VERA).

Now in its 15th year, VERA recognises the critical role employers play in supporting employees so they can fulfil their duties as first responders.

VERA also acknowledges the self-employed volunteers who often have to close their doors or turn down jobs at a moment’s notice to attend incidents.

Today, 57 businesses from the Great Southern to the Kimberley were announced as VERA recipients, joining a distinguished group of nearly 1000 businesses which have been recognised since the awards began in 2009.

The diverse group of recipients ranging from small restaurants to large resource companies includes 14 self-employed volunteers.

With the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) on high alert for another busy summer, WA businesses will again be a pillar of support to keep the State safe.

As stated by Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:

“On behalf of the Cook Government and all Western Australians, I would like to thank and commend these businesses that so generously give their workers time off to attend to an incident or lend a hand in the recovery program.

“It is through the commitment of our volunteers and their employers that DFES can provide a 24/7 service to more than 2.7 million people across the largest jurisdiction in the world.

“These businesses played a key role in allowing volunteers to attend major incidents over the past year when communities were at their most vulnerable, including January’s Kimberley floods and the Donnybrook bushfires.

“They also provide ongoing support by permitting volunteers to take time off to attend incidents, training and taking part in community programs.

“We are also deeply indebted to those selfless self-employed volunteers who often sacrifice their own profits by closing their doors to respond to emergencies.”

Please find a full list of the 2023 VERA recipients below.