Glossary
There are a number of terms specific to emergency management and counter terrorism arrangements that are used within this website.
Below is a list of the key words used and their descriptions.
Terrorist act
Defined under Australian law as an act or threat, intended to advance a political, ideological or religious cause by coercing or intimidating an Australian or foreign government or the public, by causing serious harm to people or property, creating a serious risk to the health and safety to the public, or seriously disrupting trade, critical infrastructure or electronic systems.
All hazard arrangements
NSW has established a single set of management arrangements which will be applied to emergencies, even though specific countermeasures will vary with different hazards.
Cabinet Standing Committee on Counter Terrorism
The NSW Government has established a Cabinet Standing Committee on Counter Terrorism chaired by the Premier. This Committee oversees and further develops or augments the arrangements and capabilities at the state level for dealing with threats and incidents of terrorism.
Chief Executive Officers’ Counter Terrorism Coordinating Group
The NSW Government’s Chief Executive Officers' Counter Terrorism Group supports the Cabinet Standing Committee on Counter Terrorism. This group is chaired by the Director General of the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Counter terrorism
Counter terrorism refers to the actions and/or strategies in place to prevent or respond and recover from terrorism.
Critical infrastructure
Critical infrastructure is defined as physical facilities, supply chains, information technologies and communication networks that, if destroyed, degraded or rendered unavailable for an extended period, would significantly impact on the social or economic well–being of the nation or affect Australia's ability to conduct national defence and ensure national security.
Emergency management
Emergency management involves a range of programs and arrangements designed to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from the effects of hazards impacting on the community.
Places of mass gatherings
Places of mass gathering are characterised by the concentration of people on a predictable basis, in venues or precincts that are open or enclosed.
National Counter Terrorism Alert Level
The National Counter Terrorism Alert Level guides national preparation and planning and dictates levels of precaution and vigilance to minimise the risk of a terrorist incident occurring.
National Counter–Terrorism Committee (NCTC)
The role of the NCTC is to contribute to the security of the Australian community through coordination of a nation-wide cooperative framework to counter terrorism and its consequences. The committee is comprised of representatives from the Australian Government and state and territory governments.
National Counter Terrorism Plan
The plan outlines the responsibilities, authorities and mechanisms to prevent, or if they occur, manage acts of terrorism and their consequences in Australia.
National Security Hotline
The National Security Hotline is the key point of contact for the public to report possible signs of terrorism. It also provides information to callers on a wide range of national security matters.
National Terrorist Situation
A terrorist incident or threat may be declared a National Terrorist Situation by the Australian Government.
NSW State Disaster Plan (DISPLAN)
The State Disaster Plan details emergency preparedness, response and recovery arrangements for New South Wales to ensure the coordinated response to emergencies by all agencies with responsibilities and functions in emergencies.
State Coordination Centre (SCC)
In the event of a terrorist incident, the State Coordination Centre would be activated to oversee information coordination and to assess the broader impact. The centre is also responsible for liaison with all levels of government – local, other state and territories and the Commonwealth.
State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC)
The State Emergency Management Committee was established under the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act to ensure that New South Wales has a system to cope with emergencies which is robust, effective and flexible enough to deal with the range of hazards experienced in New South Wales. A hazard impacting on the community may result in an emergency.
State Emergency Operations Controller (SEOCON)
The State Emergency Operations Controller commands the multi–agency operational response to an emergency (including terrorist incidents) within the State Emergency Operations Centre. The person appointed as SEOCON must be the Commissioner of Police or a member of the Police Senior Executive Service.
State Operation Centre (SOC)
The State Operation Centre brings police and emergency service agencies together to oversee the operational multi–agency response to a counter terrorism attack.
Terrorist incident
A combination of circumstances or conditions which may lead to or result from a terrorist act, and which require preventative and/or responsive action.