Emergency services oversight
How the State checks that emergency services meet the standards the public depends on, what the State may and may not do, and how any agency can challenge the State.
The Emergency Services Standards
Governor's Regulation No. 1 of 2026 sets the standards and the rules for inspections. It comes into force on Monday 26 October 2026.
Inspections
The Director of Emergency Services, or an inspector authorised in writing, may inspect the stations, records and equipment of an agency that receives State funding or takes part in State mutual aid. Inspectors show their credentials when asked.
- Every inspection ends with written findings given to the agency head: each finding, the standard it relates to, the action required and a reasonable deadline.
- The report is published as soon as it is issued, with a notice in the Gazette.
- The agency head has 7 days to respond in writing, accepting each finding or saying why they disagree. The response is added to the published report when received.
- Any agency may appeal a finding, order or step to the Secretary of State within 14 days.
Inspections issued
1
Published, awaiting the agency's response
0
Reports published
1
What the State may never do
- Withhold money owed to an agency for work already done, including mutual-aid reimbursement and earthquake response costs.
- Take any step that reduces an agency's ability to respond to emergencies.
- Discipline, suspend or remove a member of a county or municipal agency. Conduct by an agency head is referred to their governing body.