Western Australia’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) has launched a new Emergency WA app as part of a $16 million investment to develop a world-class warning system.
Emergency Services Minister, Stephen Dawson said the new app was a powerful tool that delivered the fastest, most reliable access to alerts and warnings for hazards across the entire State.
The new Emergency WA app enables users to receive instant notifications for warnings, incidents and other alerts in up to 10 custom watch zones.
“The new app enables people to customise their watch zones to include work, home, school addresses and more to be alerted to warnings with a radius of up to 100km,” said Minister Dawson.
A ‘read aloud’ feature enables users to listen to warnings, while a ‘listen live’ button provides people with the ability to listen to their live local ABC emergency broadcast.

In a life-threatening emergency, users can call Triple Zero (000) from anywhere in the app.
“Dangerous weather comes with the territory of living or travelling in WA and it’s essential that everyone plays their part to stay informed and take action. The Emergency WA app will empower people to make informed decisions when it matters most,” said Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner, Darren Klemm AFSM.
“Emergency Warnings have already been issued for bushfires from Cervantes to Esperance, burning tens of thousands of hectares of land and blocking major highways and roads – and bushfire season has only just started.
“The Emergency WA app is a powerful tool to keep you and your family safe from natural disasters and other incidents, sending warnings straight to your mobile device with clear directions on what you need to do.
“And most importantly, it’s essential to have an emergency plan and an emergency kit that includes a battery-operated radio to stay informed in case you lose phone reception or the battery goes flat.”
The new app follows the upgrade of the Emergency WA website and the implementation of the new Australian Warning System earlier this year.
Emergency WA is the State’s official source for authoritative, accurate and timely emergency information with more than 30 million page views in the past 12 months and 102 million views since its launch in 2016.