Overseeing fire and emergency services across Australia’s largest State is no small feat. It’s not a 9 to 5, Monday to Friday job because emergencies don’t keep business hours. When critical decisions need to be made, the Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner is always on call. It’s a role Darren Klemm AFSM has held since 2017 and in that time, he has led DFES through major change and growth. In his own words, team is the heart of DFES. And Darren has been a team player for decades. On the frontline as a firefighter and before that on the field as a premiership star in the WA Football League. Hear about the surprising role the Commissioner could see himself in if he weren’t in the top job and the biggest changes he’s witnessed in his career.

Imagine the year 2075. Firefighting robots navigate burning buildings, guided by intelligence from AI-powered drones in the sky …or a fire truck extends its retractable legs, stepping over a traffic jam to reach an house fire in record time. These technologies could be 10, 20 or 50 years away...or they may never leave the realm of science fiction. Either way, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services is looking into the future. Assistant Commissioner of Future Capability Jon Broomhall leads a new division within DFES, dedicated to exploring emerging trends and technologies that could redefine emergency response.

Bushfires, cyclones and floods can change people’s lives forever. But when the flames are out, the sirens fade, and the roads reopen, the impact is far from over. In fact, that’s when the huge task of recovery begins. Deputy Commissioner Mel Pexton, who happens to be the highest-ranking female at Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), leads the teams who helps communities rebuild after a disaster, which is a process so complex that can sometimes take years.

Most of us have seen a house or building destroyed by fire – in real life or in pictures – and know there is usually very little left among the ashes. Fire can erase its own trail, turning the task of figuring out what happened into a complex puzzle with missing pieces. Understanding how or why a fire started goes beyond appeasing our curiosity. It’s part of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services’ role. DFES’ Fire Investigator Mark Hayes takes us beneath the rubble and into the world of fire investigation – where every clue matters and no scorch mark goes unnoticed.

Within Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) there are five groups of emergency services volunteers. Bush Fire Brigade, Volunteer Fire Rescue Service, Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services, Marine Rescue and the State Emergency Service or the SES. In her own words, SES volunteer Maxine Burrell, is one of the people in orange you see on the TV. The ones on people’s roofs after a storm, in the middle of a deserted track looking for a missing person, or on top of a cliff helping an injured hiker. Maxine is one of the 26, 000 volunteers across WA that work with DFES and give up their time – without being paid – to help people before, during and after an emergency.

Science isn’t a word we’d expect to hear when talking about fire or emergency services. But major spills and leaks, hazardous material fires, poisonings and explosives are all emergencies that involve chemicals – and we know there is a lot of science behind that. Jeff Davis is DFES’ only scientist and it’s his job to give advice on how to safely handle potentially dangerous chemicals before, during and after an emergency. That advice could be given in person, over the phone, even while he’s overseas on a family holiday. In the world of emergency services – Jeff’s role is critical and could be the difference between a good and bad day.

On 28 December 2022, Ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie crossed over the coast of Western Australia and dumped around 500 millimetres of rain in less than a week. River levels in the Kimberley town of Fitzroy Crossing got to almost 16 metres high. More than 200 homes were damaged - several roads and highways too - and remote communities were left isolated. The destruction was widespread. As the Incident Controller, Glenn Hall ESM was one of many DFES personnel in charge of coordinating emergency response efforts to help keep people out of harm’s way and deliver emergency services within that region. Hear from Glenn about how he helped to lead the response and recovery efforts for this record breaking flooding disaster.

Mics and Sirens is the official podcast for the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) of Western Australia. With staff and volunteers, both on and behind the frontline, dedicated to protecting our State of more than 2.5 million square kilometres, there are many stories of hope and resilience. From that very first call for help, to those on the frontline putting themselves in harm’s way, and those who pick up the pieces once the sirens fade. We take you behind the scenes to meet the people behind the positions and explore the passion, commitment and grit that keeps communities safe.