8Commissioner’s functions

8 Commissioner’s functions (1) The commissioner is responsible for— (a) the overall strategic direction and management of the emergency services; and (b) operational and administrative support to the services. Examples—operational and administrative support • spatial services • logistics and fleet management • public information • communication centre • risk management and planning • training 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 For the effective coordination of the emergency, the commissioner may direct a chief officer to undertake response or recovery operations (see s 8A).

(2) The commissioner is also responsible for— (a) community education and awareness about emergencies; and (b) improving community preparedness for emergencies; and (c) emergencies-related advice on planning and development matters. (3) The commissioner has the functions given to the commissioner under this Act and any other territory law. (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 to the services and the community of— (i) all emergency service members, including volunteer members; and (ii) providers of operational and administrative support to the commissioner and the services; 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) oversee and coordinate 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