Disasters

In an emergency, the police can help if:

• someone is seriously injured
• someone is in need of urgent medical help
• there are threats to property or life
• if you have witnessed a serious crime or accident.

Provides fire and emergency services, including:

• issuing public warnings about bush fires and bush fire threats
• carrying out rescue operations
• preventing, mitigating and suppressing of fires
• protecting infrastructure and assets from destruction or damage by fire.

In an emergency, the SES can help if:

• you have experienced damage from storms, wind or fallen trees
• you require assistance due to a flood or tsunami emergency.

Gives a fire officer the power to give you a direction to leave or move on from an area. You are legally required to follow the direction. If you don't, you may be charged with a criminal offence.

Makes it an offence to throw on the ground a lit cigarette, match, or any incandescent material. Different penalties apply depending on whether a total fire ban is in force.

Gives police powers to:

• direct people to evacuate or leave premises when there is an emergency
  
• refuse access to an area affected by the emergency
• close roads and footpaths
• shut off electricity, gas and water supplies.

A ban on lighting, maintaining or using a fire in the open, or carrying out any activity that causes, or is likely to cause, a fire. This includes:

• general purpose welding, grinding, soldering or gas cutting or any activity that produces a spark or flame
• barbecues and smokers that burn solid fuel, such as wood, charcoal or heat beads.