ChemCentre was proud to welcome a contingent of WA Volunteer Firefighters recently, as part of the AFAC 2025 Conference program.
For more than seven years, ChemCentre’s Emergency Response (ER) team has played an active role in the annual DFES WA Volunteer Firefighters Conference, traditionally held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Past highlights have included the Mobile Laboratory exhibition stand, live demonstrations, and even participation in a simulated plane crash scenario where ER staff assisted in retrieving chemical samples.
In 2024, the format shifted to host firefighters onsite at ChemCentre. This change proved a great success, offering a firsthand look at ChemCentre’s specialist facilities and how ChemCentre Emergency Response work together with DFES in the HAZMAT and CBR area, creating greater awareness of our critical role in supporting emergency response across Western Australia.
Due to overwhelming demand, numbers were capped at 36 participants for this year’s visit. The group was welcomed by the Director of Scientific Services Division, Sophie Hancock, before embarking on a guided tour of ChemCentre’s Level 3 Organic Laboratory, Emergency Response Mobile Laboratory and the DFES HAZMAT Vehicle. The visit also featured an engaging presentation on lithium-ion battery safety, a topic of increasing importance for frontline emergency personnel.
ChemCentre’s long-standing collaboration with DFES and volunteer firefighters underscores our shared commitment to keeping WA communities safe. Hosting the conference contingent provides a valuable opportunity to showcase our expertise and strengthen partnerships that make a tangible difference in emergency preparedness and response.
