4Definitions

#### 4 Definitions 4 Definitions > > (1) Definitions are contained in the Dictionary at the end of this Act. > > > > Note. > > > > Expressions used in this Act (or in a particular provision of this Act) that are defined in the [Interpretation Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1987-015) have the meanings set out in that Act. > > > (2) Words and expressions used in the [State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1989-165) and in this Act have the same meanings in this Act as they have in the 1989 Act. > > > (3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to the extent that the context or subject-matter otherwise indicates or requires. > > Note. > > Some expressions defined in the [State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1989-165) that are used in this Act are— > > combat agency means the agency identified in the State Emergency Management Plan as the agency primarily responsible for controlling the response to a particular emergency. > > emergency means an emergency due to an actual or imminent occurrence (such as fire, flood, storm, earthquake, explosion, terrorist act, accident, epidemic or warlike action) which— > > > (a) endangers, or threatens to endanger, the safety or health of persons or animals in the State, or > > > (b) destroys or damages, or threatens to destroy or damage, property in the State, or > > > (c) causes a failure of, or a significant disruption to, an essential service or infrastructure, > > being an emergency which requires a significant and co-ordinated response. > > emergency services organisation means the following— > > > (a) Ambulance Service of NSW, > > > (b) Fire and Rescue NSW, > > > (c) a fire brigade within the meaning of the [Fire and Rescue NSW Act 1989](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1989-192), > > > (d) NSW Police Force, > > > (e) NSW Rural Fire Service, > > > (f) State Emergency Service, > > > (g) Surf Life Saving New South Wales, > > > (h) VRA Rescue NSW Limited, > > > (i) Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW, > > > (j) an agency that manages or controls an accredited rescue unit, > > > (k) a non-government agency that is prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this definition. > > State Emergency Management Plan means the State Emergency Management Plan referred to in section 12 of the [State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1989-165). > > **s 4:** Am 2011 No 62, Sch 3.30; 2012 No 103, Sch 2 \[1\]; 2018 No 59, Sch 2 \[1\]; 2025 No 48, Sch 2.13.