The Emergency WA app has been adopted by Manitoba Emergency Management; the province borders the US and is one of Canada’s largest provinces.
The app, and website, enables users to receive instant notifications for warnings, incidents and other alerts in custom watch zones.
WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) public information manager Anni Fordham recently travelled to Manitoba to help implement the new technology.
WA Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia says their technology is now saving lives internationally.
“We’re incredibly proud to see our homegrown Emergency WA platform … supporting Canadian communities in their time of need,” he says.
Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm says Manitoba’s decision to adopt their app “shows how highly regarded WA is internationally” in emergency services.
“WA firefighters are renowned worldwide for their expertise in managing destructive fires in difficult terrain and have provided much-needed relief to Canadian crews on the frontline,” he says.
“The situation in Canada is the perfect reminder for all Western Australians to take advantage of the world-leading technology available at their fingertips and download our Emergency WA app so they can make life-saving decisions when hazards impact their community.”
The State Government launched the Emergency WA app last December as part of a new $16 million warning system.
AUSSIES, KIWIS FLY OUT TO HELP OUT
News reports rate Canada’s 2025 wildfire season as among its worst on record: click here for more details.
According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, there were 11 new fires reported as of Monday (AEST) and 737 active fires, burning about 6.7 million hectares.
In 24 hours, there were 39 new fires reported and 749 active blazes. At least two deaths have been reported.
Manitoba has the most reported active fires with 160, and 503 fires designated as out of control.
The wildfires have also sparked air quality warnings across US states like Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois.
The WA government says 21 firefighters have just returned from Canada while 32 remain in the Alberta region.
Another 16 firefighters from Australia (with 12 from NSW) have just flown out to Alberta for four weeks.
They will join up with four NZ specialists who already left for Alberta, Fire and Emergency NZ says; NZ already has 50 firefighters on the ground in Manitoba.
