Ambulance Control Point (ACP): An emergency control vehicle identified by a green flashing light providing an on site communication facility which may be at a distance from the incident scene and provides a focal point for NHS/medical resources attending the incident. Ideally the point should be in close proximity to the police and fire service control point vehicles (subject to radio interference constraints).
Ambulance Incident Officer (AIO): The officer of the ambulance service with overall responsibility for the work of that service at the scene of a major incident.
Ambulance Loading Point (ALP): An area, preferably hard standing, in close proximity to the Casualty Clearing Station, where ambulances can be manoeuvred and patients loaded. Helicopter landing provision may also be needed.
Ambulance Parking Point: Place designated at the scene of a major incident where arriving ambulances can park, thus avoiding congestion at the entrance to the site or at the Ambulance Loading Point. These areas are also suitable for staff briefings, procurement of refreshments and restocking of equipment.
BRONZE: an operational control and coordination group located at the scene(s).
Cascade System: System whereby one person or organisation calls out others who in turn initiate further call-outs as necessary.
Casualty Bureau: Central police controlled contact and information point for all records and data relating to casualties.
Casualty Clearing Station: An area set up at a major incident by the ambulance service in liaison with the Medical Incident Officer to triage, assess and treat casualties and direct their evacuation.
CBRN: Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear. Refers to a group of similar weapons of terror.
CHALET: Casualties; Hazards; Access; Location; Emergency Services (range and committment); Type of incident. (see also SAD CHALET).Emergency Services acronym used to support first reports from the scene of an incident.
CHAOS: Chief Has Arrived On Scene.
Chemet: A scheme administered by the Meteorological Office, providing information on weather conditions as they affect an incident involving hazardous chemicals.
COBR: (pronounced "cobra") Cabinet Office Briefing Room.
Command: The authority for an agency to direct the actions of its own resources (both personnel and equipment).
Co-ordination: The harmonious integration of the expertise of all the agencies involved with the object of effectively and efficiently bringing the incident to a successful conclusion.
Control: The authority to direct strategic and tactical operations in order to complete an assigned function and includes the ability to direct the activities of other agencies engaged in the completion of that function. The control of the assigned function also carries with it a responsibility for the health and safety of those involved.
Control Room: Centre for the control of the movements and activities of each emergency service’s personnel and equipment. Liases with the other services control rooms.
Cordon-Inner: Surrounds the immediate scene and provides security for it.
Cordon-Outer: Seals off the controlled area to which unauthorised persons are not allowed access.
Emergency Centre (EC): Local authority operations centre from which the management and co-ordination of local authority incident support is carried out.
Evacuation Assembly Point: Building or area to which evacuees are directed for transportation to a rest centre.
Forward Control Point (FCP): The control point nearest the scene of the incident responsible for immediate direction, deployment and security.
Friends and Relatives Reception Centre: Secure area set aside for use and interview of friends and relatives arriving at the scene.
GO: Government Office (regional).
GOLD: a strategic coordination group typically located at police headquarters. Also known as “Strategic”.
GOSE: Government Office of the South East.
Incident Officers (IO): The officers at the scene who command their respective services.
Incident Control Point (Police and Fire services): The point from which the management of the incident is controlled and co-ordinated. The central point of contact for all specialist and emergency services engaged on the site.
Liaison Officer: an officer dispatched to the scene or partner control centre to act in a coordinating capacity on behalf of the parent organisation.
LRF: Local Resilience Forum.
Major incident: A major incident is any emergency that requires the implementation of special arrangements by one or more of the emergency services, the NHS or the local authority.
Major Incident Procedures: Pre-planned and exercised procedures that are activated once a major incident has been declared.
Marshalling Area: Area to which resources and personnel not immediately required at the scene or being held for further use can be directed to standby.
Medical Incident Officer (MIO): Medical officer with overall responsibility (in close liaison with the ambulance incident officer) for the management of medical resources at the scene of a major incident. He/she should not be a member of a mobile medical team.
Mutual Aid Arrangements: Cross-boundary arrangements under which emergency services, local authorities and other organisations request extra staff and/or equipment for use in a disaster.
Operational Liaison Officer (OLO): also known as “BRONZE” liaison officer. An officer dispatched to police BRONZE CONTROL to liase on behalf of the parent organisation. MKC sends a specially trained team of two officers. Their equipment is held in the Emergency Planning Unit.
Phonetic Alphabet: eg "GOLF"="G". Used to spell out names and registrations in voice-to-voice contact. Standard is NATO Phonetic Alphabet.
Receiving Hospital(s): The hospital(s) selected by the ambulance service from those identified by Health Authorities to receive casualties in the event of any particular major incident.
Reception Centre: Secure area to which uninjured survivors can be taken for shelter, first aid, interview and documentation. This facility is run by the local authority. In Milton Keynes it is based on the leisure centres in the city.
Rendezvous Point (RVP): Point to which all resources arriving at the outer cordon are directed for logging, briefing, equipment issue and deployment. There will usually be both an INNER RENDEZVOUS POINT and an OUTER RENDEZVOUS POINT established.
RRF: Regional Resilience Forum.
Rest Centre: Building taken over by local authority for the temporary accommodation of evacuees.
SAD (CHALET): Survey; Assess; Disseminate. (see also CHALET)
SILVER: a tactical command and coordination group. This may be located near to the scene in a specially prepared venue or more typically at the police area command centre. Also known as “Tactical”.
Statutory Services: Those services whose responsibilities are laid down in law: for example, police, fire and ambulance services, HM Coastguard and local authorities.
Strategic Liaison Officer (SLO): also known as “GOLD” liaison officer. An officer dispatched to police GOLD COMMAND to liase on behalf of the parent organisation. MKC sends a specially trained team of two officers. Facilities are provided by Thames Valley Police HQ at “GOLD”.
Tactical Liaison Officer (TLO): also known as “SILVER” liaison officer. An officer dispatched to police SILVER COMMAND/CONTROL to liase on behalf of the parent organisation. MKC sends a specially trained team of two officers. Their equipment is held at “SILVER”.
Triage: Process of assessment and allocation of priorities by the medical or ambulance staff at the site or casualty clearing station prior to evacuation.
Utilities (also known as “Statutory Undertakers”) : Companies providing essential services e.g. gas, water, electricity, telephones.
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