The Augusta Margaret River Shire has agreed to allow the Wallcliffe Volunteer Fire Brigade to come under State (Department of Fire and Emergency Services) control for a two year trial period.
In a statement released last week, the brigade said the trial period will see the it amalgamate its two key roles of Bushfire Fighting and Structural Fire Fighting to operate under one administrative structure.
"This follows a long draw out process, which has been ongoing for the last six years, and saw two failed attempts to bring all the Shire's brigades under State control.
"The new structure will allow for a stream lined call out process, singular policies and procedures rather than the old duplicated system that is currently in place.
"The community is assured that there will be no decrease in brigades commitment to protect life or property in our area of responsibility, and that our 80 volunteer members will be better protected and our community a safer place."
The Wallcliffe Brigade was registered in 1948 and was an amalgamation of three brigades to include the rural area to the east of Margaret River and the town sites of Prevelly and Gnarabup.
Today the brigade has more than 80 volunteers and operates six trucks.
Its area of jurisdiction includes a large number of houses in what DFES categorises as an 'urban rural interface', with houses surrounded by bush.
