Australian Capital Territory Consolidated Acts

EMERGENCIES ACT 2004 - SECT 8

    (1)     The commissioner is responsible for the overall strategic direction and management of the emergency services.

Note 1     A chief officer of an emergency service is responsible for the general management and control of the service (see s 28 (3) (a), s 29 (3) (a), s 30 (3) (a) and s 31 (3) (a)).

Note 2     The commissioner may direct a chief officer to undertake response or recovery operations in relation to an emergency (see s 8A).

    (2)     The commissioner is also responsible for community education and improving community preparedness for emergencies.

    (3)     The commissioner has the functions given to the commissioner under this Act and any other territory law.

Note     A provision of a law that gives an entity (including a person) a function also gives the entity powers necessary and convenient to exercise the function (see Legislation Act, s 196 and dict, pt 1, def entity ).

    (4)     In the exercise of the commissioner's functions, the commissioner must—

        (a)     seek to give the emergency services a strong, cohesive, strategic and operational direction; and

        (b)     seek to ensure delivery of high-quality and effective service to the community by each of the emergency services; and

        (c)     seek to improve the operational effectiveness and flexibility of the emergency services; and

        (d)     recognise the value of the individual emergency services; and

        (e)     recognise the importance of all emergency service members, including volunteer members, to the services and the community; and

        (f)     recognise the diverse needs of the community, including people with special needs; and

Examples of people with special needs

1     the frail aged

2     people with a disability

3     people in hospital

        (g)     emphasise community education and preparedness for emergencies; and

        (h)     emphasise the importance of communicating information, advice and warnings to the community during an emergency; and

              (i)     ensure that members of the emergency services and volunteers are properly equipped, trained and prepared; and

        (j)     participate in strategic and operational planning for emergencies.

Examples of strategic and operational planning for emergencies

1     strategic planning for recovery from a natural disaster

2     operational planning for response to a fuel shortage emergency

Note     An example is part of the Act, is not exhaustive and may extend, but does not limit, the meaning of the provision in which it appears (see Legislation Act, s 126 and s 132).