The National Emergency Services Agency commenced operation on 1 February 1939. The agency was formed in response to a request from the
Prime Minister that the Australian states devise a scheme for the protection of the civilian population against possible attacks from the air in the event of a national attack. The first minister
Michael Bruxner stated that the objective of the organisation was not just
air raids, but to deal with any major catastrophe, such as fires or floods, including the co-ordination of existing organisations such as the Ambulance, the Fire Brigades, the Red Cross, and the Police Department. The portfolio was abolished after the war.
Minister for National Emergency Services The
Minister for National Emergency Services had two principal activities: a) the provision of measures for the protection of the life and property of the people, such as provision of air raid warnings, lighting control, air raid shelters, protection of vital plant and numerous other schemes to meet emergency conditions; and b) operational activities, including the organisation of personnel trained in specialist duties to cope with the immediate effects of enemy attack. The first task of the department was to prepare a scheme of organisation for the State. The scheme provided for the formation of a Civil Defence Organisation upon a municipal or shire basis. Each municipality or shire became an "Area". A Chief Warden was appointed, to take charge of each Area. The Chief Warden and all of the area staff served in a voluntary capacity. and remained in force for the duration of hostilities with Germany and for a period of six months thereafter. The Act provided for preparing and implementing Raid Precautions Schemes and Regulations. The first Raid Precautions Scheme was gazetted on 6 June 1941, and the first Regulations on 13 June 1941. The legislation was amended in October 1941, to bring navigable waters under the scope of the Act. While the
Ambulance Service is an emergency service, it has not been part of the responsibilities of this portfolio, instead being the responsibility of the
Minister for Health. The portfolio has frequently been held in conjunction with the portfolios of either Police or
Corrective Services. Between 1 May 2020 and 16 December 2022, the minister had the oversight of
Resilience NSW, with a focus on disaster management. In March 2022 the
New South Wales Premier appointed
Steph Cooke MP as the Minister for Flood Recovery. == List of ministers ==