The function of the National Emergency Management Office, with respect to emergencies, can conveniently be divided into five categories:

Informing: The development and dissemination of information, which will enhance the capability of the individual or the private organisation to cope with emergencies, to get help when needed.

Warning: The analysis and forecasting of the nature of potential hazards.

Co-ordinating: The development of systems to enable resources to be effectively applied to emergencies.

Providing:  The provision and maintenance, when necessary, of extraordinary resources as well as the diversion of normal resources to meet emergency needs.

Evaluating: The review of the performance of the organisation with a view to its improvement.