AGY-816 | Civil Defence and State Emergency Services

Full description

Civil Defence was instituted in New South Wales during World War II when the National Emergency Services was established. Although the National Emergency Act of 1941 lapsed with the conclusion of hostilities and with it the voluntary National Emergency Services, the Chief Secretary's Department and subsequently the Premier's Department continued to be engaged in the collation and evaluation of information. (1)

In April 1955, following disastrous floods throughout New South Wales, the State Emergency Services was established by Cabinet Minute. (2) (Two Liaison Officers were appointed to the State Emergency Services in the Chief Secretary’s Department on 19 April 1955. (3) The task of the agency was to co-ordinate the activities of the Armed Services, Government Departments and other bodies to ensure the most effective direction of effort in times of flood. (4)

State Emergency Services was established to deal with emergencies such as floods and bushfires which develop rapidly and which require considerable skill and planning to ensure minimum loss of life and property. The State Emergency Services were charged with making plans for flood warnings; communications; evacuation, housing and feeding of evacuees; rescue; provision of essential services, medical and nursing facilities; and for various forms of immediate relief including the feeding of stock and the restoration of essential services. (5)

It was also recognised that many of these facilities could be supplied by existing services such as the Police, Social Services, Public Health Department, Public Works Department and other bodies, but that such services could only be effective if a well co-ordinated plan existed, and efficient direction and control of all services were exercised during an emergency. The necessary planning and preparations became the responsibility of the State Emergency Services. (6)

Also in 1955, the Government had established a Civil Defence Organisation to undertake active planning to deal with possible emergencies likely to arise from enemy attack. On 19 May 1955 a Director of Civil Defence was appointed and in August a Deputy Director was appointed. (7)

In September 1955, the two organisations were amalgamated, the new organisation was known as Civil Defence and State Emergency Services but popularly known as Civil Defence. (8)

On 2 August 1972, the first legislation, the State Emergency Services and Civil Defence Act 1972 (Act No.11, 1972) was proclaimed. (9) The organisation established by the Act was The State Emergency Services and Civil Defence Organisation of New South Wales. For administrative purposes, the title of the organisation became the State Emergency Services of New South Wales. The change of emphasis from civil defence to state emergency resulted from the realisation that the possibility of nuclear holocaust was diminishing . Under the new legislation, civil defence became simply part of the many different types of emergencies to be dealt with by the organisation. (10)

Endnotes
1. Concise Guide to the State Archives of NSW 2nd ed. Q-Sp."State Emergency Services" p.16.
2. Ibid.
3. Blue Book 1955, p.13.
4. Concise Guide op. cit.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
7. Blue Book 1955 p.13.
8. Concise Guide op. cit.
9. NSW Government Gazette, vol. 3, p.3099.
10. State Emergency Services and Civil Defence Organisation of New South Wales Report ending 30 June 1973, p.3 in NSW Parliamentary Papers, Vol.1, pp.365-390.