Dealing with an emergency is a group effort, with multiple services working together.

One organisation will take charge. They are called the combat agency, and are experts in dealing with whatever is causing the emergency. For example, in a bush fire the combat agency will be the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS). In a flood, the combat agency will be the State Emergency Service (SES).

Other agencies, including Police, Council and others, will provide support to the combat agency and help manage things like evacuations, road closures and recovery.

For more details, you can read our local Emergency Management Plan.

You can also read more about Council’s role in emergencies.