Pemberton fire captain Jamie Copeland says his spot on Fire and Emergency Services finalist list a team effort

Pemberton’s fire captain Jamie Copeland is in the running for a prestigious firefighting accolade awarded by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services. The patrician of the Pemberton Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, Mr Copeland is a finalist for the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service individual achievement award for his leadership, mentorship and long-term service to the station and community. From establishing Pemberton Youth Emergency Service Cadets program to supporting his fellow firefighters on the field, Mr Copeland has been committed to protecting the region for the last 25 years. Mr Copeland said whilst it is lovely to be recognised, he feels it is unfair for the WA Fire and Emergency Services Awards to simply recognise individual achievement. “As the captain of the fire brigade I provide leadership, but like every team, you can’t do anything by yourself,” he said. “I’ve got just over 25 years of experience as being a volunteer and if I can help guide some of the guys that are less experienced, and we can get the job done in the end, that’s kind of what the community expects of us.” Mr Copeland said the role has its challenges, as he and fellow rescuers jump to act whenever needed, and he has seen several confronting things over his time at the station, but it is the support of those around him that allow him to push through. “One of the big things that people don’t really recognise too much as the administrators in the background,” he said. “They do a heap of work in the background that I couldn’t run the organisation without their support.” He also said he one of the biggest thank yous he could give was to his wife Pippa and daughters Mae and Romy who often get woken when he’s called out. “My family and all the families of the front line emergency responders are the unrecognised heroes,” he said. Also up for an award is the Northcliffe Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service and Northcliffe Bush Fire Brigade, jointly nominated for the firefighting team achievement award for their tireless efforts in battling the Chesapeake fire that burned for more than a month earlier this year. Shire president Donelle Buegge congratulated the nominees and expressed deep gratitude for their commitment. “These nominations reflect the extraordinary dedication, skill and passion of our local emergency services personnel,” she said. “On behalf of the Shire of Manjimup, I extend our heartfelt congratulations to Jamie and the Northcliffe teams. “We thank all fire and emergency services volunteers and staff across the shire for the critical work they do to keep our communities safe.” Winners of the 2025 awards will be announced at the WAFES Awards gala dinner on August 29, 2025.