Emergencies
According to the New South Wales State Emergency and Rescue Management Act of 1989, an emergency as an actual or looming event which can endanger, or has the capability to endanger, the safety and lives of persons and animals in the State (The Emergency Management Arrangements for New South Wales,.3). Not only is an emergency capable of endangering the lives of the people and animals in the State, it can also cause destruction of property. Emergencies require significant and coordinated responses from both governmental and nongovernmental organizations as well as the international community. Examples of common emergencies that occur in New South Wales include floods, severe storms and bushfires (Fagel 2011, pp49). Other emergencies such as exotic livestock and plant diseases, major aircraft crashes and earthquakes are not frequent in New South Wales but have happened at one time or another in the state’s history (Fagel 2011, pp49).
The State Emergency and Rescue Management Act
The New South Wales State Emergency and Rescue Management Act of 1989 is the principal State legislation governing the co ordination of emergency preparedness, response and recovery operations (pp.4). This Act among other things, establishes the roles of the Minister for emergency services in emergency management, provides for creation of emergency management committees at the state, district and local levels, the preparation of a state disaster plan and secondary plans which ensure a synchronized response for crucial operation and measures of controlling emergency operations (Fagel 2011, pp. 50).
Key aspects of emergency management
The key aspects of emergency management are mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery (Fagel 2011, pp. 55). Mitigation is the aspect of avoiding future emergencies or disasters and trying to reduce their effects (Fagel 2011, pp. 55). This aspect includes all actions taken towards avoiding an emergency, minimizing the probability of...