Disaster Management Act · 2024 Revised Edition · Part · Powers
33. General powers of rescue officer
Official textFrom Attorney General's Chambers, unchanged
During the period of a disaster situation, a rescue officer may take reasonable steps to protect —
period
“period” means the period for which the declaration of a disaster situation is in force;
a person who is trapped, or endangered in another way, in any place;
himself or any other person from danger, potential danger or assault.
If it is reasonable in the circumstances, the rescue officer may do all of the following for the purpose of giving the protection mentioned in subsection (1) —
rescue officer
“rescue officer” means a police officer or any person authorised under section 27(1) to exercise declared disaster powers for a disaster situation;
enter a place using reasonable force;
search any part of a place;
open, using reasonable force, a container or any other thing;
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remove any thing from a place;
destroy or damage premises, a vehicle, container or any other thing;
take into or onto a place the equipment, persons or materials the rescue officer reasonably requires to exercise a power under this section;
direct any person to leave, or not to enter, an area in or near a place if the rescue officer reasonably considers the direction is necessary to protect that person’s life or health;
require any person at or near the place to give the rescue officer reasonable help to exercise his powers under paragraphs (a) to (f).
When giving a direction or making a requirement mentioned in subsection (2)(g) or (h), the rescue officer shall warn that person that it is an offence to fail to comply with that direction or requirement unless he has a reasonable excuse.
Terms defined in s 2
disaster management
Defined · s 2“disaster management” has the meaning ascribed to it by section 5;
disaster situation
Defined · s 2“disaster situation” means a disaster situation declared under section 22;
period
Defined · s 2“period” means the period for which the declaration of a disaster situation is in force;
premises
Defined · s 2“premises” includes a building or structure, or part of a building or structure, of any type;
rescue officer
Defined · s 2“rescue officer” means a police officer or any person authorised under section 27(1) to exercise declared disaster powers for a disaster situation;
vehicle
Defined · s 2“vehicle” means anything used for carrying anything or any person by land, water or air.