Minister for Emergency Services (New South Wales)

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The NSW Minister for Emergency Services is a government minister who oversees the state’s emergency service agencies, including Fire and Rescue NSW, Rural Fire Service, and the State Emergency Service. The role is part of the Premier’s Department and the Department of Communities and Justice. The current minister is Jihad Dib, who has held the position since 5 April 2023.

A short history:
- The position began in 1939 as the National Emergency Services to protect people from air attacks and to coordinate agencies like Ambulance, Fire Brigades, Red Cross, and Police for all big emergencies (fires, floods, etc.). Michael Bruxner was the first minister.
- The portfolio became a formal ministerial job in 1941 under the National Emergency Services Act, creating civil defence duties such as air raid warnings, shelters, and trained personnel.
- The service was abolished in 1949 after World War II.
- In 1982, the emergency services portfolio was revived (often with Police) under the Wran government.
- Today, the Ambulance Service is managed by the Health minister, not this portfolio.
- From May 2020 to December 2022, the minister also oversaw Resilience NSW for disaster management. In March 2022, Steph Cooke was appointed Minister for Flood Recovery.