Published on Tuesday, 8 September 2026 at 10:30:00 AM
The Shire periodically reviews all of its emergency services appliances and resource allocations in preparation for the fire season. This ensures firefighting resources remain appropriately distributed across our district and continue to meet the needs of an evolving and growing community.
Importantly, these adjustments do not represent a reduction in emergency services resources or coverage. Instead, they are designed to ensure the right equipment is available in the right locations to support community safety and emergency response capabilities.
What's changing this fire season?
Following the latest review, the following appliance reallocations will occur for the upcoming fire season:
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1x vehicle will move from Argyle/Irishtown to Kirup
This means that both brigades will have 2x appliances for the upcoming fire season, helping to maintain emergency response capability across both areas while ensuring resources are appropriately distributed.
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A 2000L fire truck will move from Mullalyup to Mumballup
This addresses the issue of limited water access in the Mumballup/Noggerup brigade area, and helps ensure appropriate resources are available should an emergency occur.
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1x Light Tanker will move from Mumballup to Mullalyup
This ensures suitable appliance coverage remains available across both brigade areas, allowing resources to better reflect operational needs while maintaining service levels.
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A vehicle allocated to Munro will be stored safely in Balingup outside of high-threat periods
The vehicle will remain available in the Munro area during high-threat periods, and will be safely housed in Balingup during lower-risk times. This improves vehicle security and accessibility while maintaining suitable coverage for the Munro area (no appliances are being reallocated elsewhere in this arrangement).
What isn’t changing
The Shire's emergency services capability remains unchanged:
- 18 firefighting vehicles (appliances)
- 11 Bush Fire Brigades
- 434 dedicated volunteers
Community safety remains the priority, and these changes are about optimising the location of resources rather than reducing emergency response capability.
A proactive approach to community safety
The Shire is committed to continually assessing risks, reviewing service needs, and ensuring resources are positioned where they can best support communities across the district. As our communities grow and risks evolve, emergency service resources must also adapt to remain fit for purpose.
We also want to reassure residents that these changes do not leave any community without firefighting resources. No locality will be left vulnerable as a result of this review. Rather, the adjustments are intended to strengthen overall emergency preparedness by ensuring resources are distributed in a way that best supports the safety of communities across the Shire.
Ensuring support is available when it’s needed most
A change in appliance allocation does not mean a reduction in protection for a community. Bushfire response relies on a coordinated network of local brigades, shared resources and supporting emergency services working together to ensure capability is available where and when it is needed most.
In addition, Enhanced Bushfire Response Plan arrangements remain in place between the Shire and the Department of Fire & Emergency Services (DFES). During periods of heightened bushfire risk, these arrangements provide additional support to Shire emergency response efforts, including the automatic dispatch of DFES Volunteer Fire & Rescue Service (VFRS) appliances alongside local Bush Fire Brigade resources where required.
This proactive approach reflects our shared values and objectives outlined in the Council Plan, including maintaining community safety, strengthening resilience to emergencies, using shared resources responsibly, and working collaboratively to meet the needs of our communities.
We thank our Bush Fire Brigade volunteers for their ongoing dedication and service to our community.
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