The WA Government will support all 17 recommendations – including creation of a rural fire service – arising from an inquiry into January’s devastating Waroona blaze.

The rural service will be either a separate agency or a sub-department of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services.

Premier Colin Barnett says the report by fire expert Euan Ferguson emphasises the importance of local knowledge and experience in fighting bushfires.

“The state’s volunteer firefighters do a magnificent job and their expertise in fighting bushfires needs to be better utilised,” Mr Barnett said.

Emergency Services Minister Joe Francis says implementation of many of Mr Ferguson’s recommendations has already begun.

“WA has suffered terrifying and catastrophic fires in recent years, and we will do everything we can to respond accordingly,” he said.

The Government has pledged an additional $15 million over four years to mitigate the risks of fire on crown land.

Other recommendations include the creation of five pre-formed multi-agency incident management teams for the most serious incidents and the installation of automated location systems in vehicles and appliances.

The Government is also working to establish by next month a $2.8 million critical messaging system, to advise people of danger ratings and total fire bans. 

The information will be available on a new Emergency WA website, to be promoted through the Are You Ready? bushfire campaign.

The Waroona fire caused damage across more than 69,000 hectares.