Premier Roger Cook and Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson pay ‘homage’ to brave firefighters

WA Premier Roger Cook has paid “homage” to WA fire fighters, saying West Australians were “grateful for their sacrifice” as they prepared to spend Christmas saving lives and property. “WA firefighters, other emergency service workers and volunteers have done a phenomenal job protecting lives and homes over the past few days,” Mr Cook said. “We’re expecting a tough fire season ahead, so this Christmas I’d like to pay homage to our incredible firies, who often sacrifice time with their families to help keep others safe. “We hope that there won’t be need for firefighters to be called out this Christmas Day – but if by some misfortune they do find themselves on the end of a hose, I think I speak on behalf of all Western Australians in saying we are extremely grateful for their sacrifice.” Mr Cook urged West Australians to have a “bushfire plan”. “To support their efforts and help keep our State safe, I urge Western Australians to make sure they have a bushfire plan in place, stay vigilant and act responsibly this summer,” he said. Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson on Saturday also paid tribute to WA’s firies. “There will be many emergency services workers, including career and volunteer fire fighters, who will be out there on Christmas Day,” Mr Dawson said. “Lots of West Australians get downtime at this time of year. “They get to relax and spend time with their loved ones. “These incredible human beings will be out there working, saving people from fires, putting fires out and saving people from car wrecks. “I am incredibly proud of the job they do. “It’s particularly challenging at this time of the year, and I value each and every one of them. “And I want to thank them for what they do.” Mr Dawson said the weeks ahead would be challenging as temperatures soared. “We have been told by the Bureau of Meteorology this will be a long, hot and dry summer. “We have been told to expect fires - and we have had some significant fires so far. “Firies - career and volunteer - have done an incredible job in the last few days and indeed last few weeks. “And while houses have been lost, which is tragic, it could have been a lot worse.” Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said a distress relief fund was ready to assist if needed, this summer. “The Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund stands ready to assist with an initial emergency payment of $5000 per residential property lost in line with similar payments made recently for victims of the Maringiniup bushfires,” he said. “With significantly fewer homes damaged in this week’s bushfires it’s unlikely a general appeal will be launched but the board is monitoring the situation and will act if necessary in this regard.” Mr Cook said the empty Centre for National Resilience in Bullsbrook would once again be called upon to house fire victims if the need arose. Fire victims in Wanneroo were housed at the centre a few weeks ago. “While we haven’t needed to use accommodation at the Centre for National Resilience in Bullsbrook this month, the Federal Government has ensured us that the State Government will be granted access to its accommodation should an emergency situation require a larger-scale response this season,” Mr Cook said.