SESVA Vice President Alan Hawke has followed up on the SESVA report published in the SESVA Summer 2025 newsletter on the progress of the SES Fit For Role (FFR) program.
Read on for some answers to these questions:
• What’s changed?
• Are we closer to understanding what to do?
• Have our concerns been addressed?
• Should we be concerned?
• What will the SESVA be doing?
Recap
The FFR program was first initiated in 2014 by the Australian Council of State Emergency Services (ACSES). Research by Deakin University looked at the physiological effects of operational activities on emergency service workers.
In 2018, the scope of the research project was extended to develop a series of physical fitness assessments to supporting operational activities undertaken by SES nationally.
The SES Fitness for Role Project subsequently established a series of validated, defensible, and practical physical fitness standards for the tasks commonly performed by SES volunteers. This framework offered a platform from which to objectively match SES volunteers’ abilities to the
roles that they undertake whilst assuring the safety of the individuals undertaking these tasks. FFR was intended to also support SES volunteers in making a self-assessment of their ability to undertake training along with performing roles within SES, including return to duty following injury.
This is a nationally agreed standard and has been approved in all States and territories, including DFES. Nevertheless, when FFR was announced in WA in early 2024, WA SES volunteers were cautious about the program and had no clear appetite for singling out volunteers based on fitness assessments where that standard is not required of staff or volunteers from the other DFES volunteer services.
Since then, much of the discussion has been around the implementation of a program that has narrowed its scope, requiring only SES volunteers who wish to deploy to incidents outside WA to demonstrate that they can complete nine (9) fitness assessments that are considered representative of the physical demands of SES operational roles.
What’s changed?
Since we last reported four months ago, we find that implementation of the FFR program remains in DFES Wellness Branch. Whilst a Natural Hazards District Officer has only been engaged to advise on an implementation plan, volunteers are not likely to see any progress for another six months.
As we reported previously, the intent is that regional District Officers will play a key role in supporting SES volunteers. It appears that the responsibility for FFR will primarily fall to SES volunteer Unit Managers.
Are we closer to understanding what to do?
No! We still have no idea of what SES volunteers are supposed to do, or how to do it.
Have our concerns been addressed?
No! Volunteers and the SES Volunteers Association have not been invited to collaborate in the planning process.
We still don’t know if there will be:
• Consistent messaging and practical guidance at the local level.
• Clear top-down support and communication.
• Consistent application across regions.
• Defined responsibilities for implementation.
• Logistical and training support.
Should we be concerned?
Despite the implementation deadline of 1 July 2026,we are assured that we should not be concerned. The message we have is that if there is a call for SES volunteers from WA, DFES will respond, with or without FFR assessment.
What will the SESVA be doing?
SESVA will monitor the implementation of the FFR program and share any concerns with DFES as appropriate. The feedback of SES units is welcome at
any time. SESVA remains open to any invitation to collaborate on an implementation plan that works for both DFES and SES volunteers.
Stay tuned for more updates
Questions? Contact your DO for more information or email sesva.secretary@ses-wa.asn.au