The West Gidgegannup Volunteer Bushfire Brigade has been in operation in one form or another since the early 60s. Since 1999 the brigade has been part of FESA, and is also supported by City of Swan. It operates under the Bushfires Act 1954 as amended.

The West Gidgegannup area is that part of Gidgegannup west of Stoneville and Reserve rds, northwards to the Avon river. It is characterised by larger rural properties, the majority over 20 Ha, although there is increasing development of 2 Ha properties south of Toodyay rd. There are also large tracts of bush, some privately owned including Paruna Sanctuary (2500 Ha) on the Avon Valley.


Increasing fire risk from various causes, including hotter drier summers and changes to land use, mean that the community needs to be more vigilant and proactive in preventing and controlling fires. West Gidge Brigade is the front line for this in our area.

Captain / FCO	John Mangini	9574 6289 / 0427 770 003
Lieutenant / FCO	Steve Payne	0419 906 447
Lieutenant/Equipment Officer	Mark Smith	0411 718 348
Lieutenant	Terence van Osch	0417 443 578
Treasurer	Peter Jensen	9574 7257
Secretary	Joe Nistico
Acting Training Coordinator	John Mangini	9574 6289 / 0427 770 003
Radio Base Coordinator	Angie Whife	9574 7060
Permit Issuing Officer	John Eva

Any resident, landholder or person with a connection to the West Gidge area is welcome to join. All you require is to be reasonably fit and be able to get a police clearance. The required medical examination, all training and equipment (including clothing, boots, helmet etc) are provided free by FESA and the City of Swan. Members who are often within the district during the working week are particularly welcome as often there are insufficient crew available for all units at these times.

New members do a weekend of formal training; then ongoing in-brigade training including regular monthly training activities, hazard reduction burning, and special training events. Ongoing higher level training is available to those members who have accrued appropriate experience and wish to progress to senior brigade positions.

The West Gidge Brigade currently has the following equipment:
- 1 x 2.4 - Isuzu 4WD truck with 2700 lts water
   Location: Eva's Nursery, Toodyay Road
- 3 x light tankers (Landcruisers) with 550 lts water
   Locations: Toodyay, Cameron, and Berry Roads
These may be assisted depending on circumstances by privately owned units.

During the fire season a roster is in place where sufficient members to crew the units carry pagers so as to be first turnout for a fire call. This is supplanted by individual phone calls for relief crews if, as often happens with larger fires, multiple shifts are required. West Gidge Brigade works closely with East Gidge Brigade and both brigades normally turn out to fires in each other's response area.

The main one is the Xmas party, usually held at the Recreation Club late November or early December. This is open to all residents of the West Gidge area and usually we have a sheep on a spit with free beer, wine and soft drinks. This is advertised in the Gidgegram in Oct/Nov.

The AGM is usually held in July at the Gidge Fire Shed. Some refreshments are served.