| Abbreviation |
Term |
Description |
| AAD |
Annual Average Damages |
|
| AAIB |
Air Accidents Investigation Branch |
The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch is part of the Department of Transport, and is responsible for the investigation of civil aircraft accidents and serious incidents within the UK. |
| ABI |
Association of British Insurers |
The ABI (Association of British Insurers) represents the collective interests of the UK’s insurance industry. The Association speaks out on issues of common interest; helps to inform and participate in debates on public policy issues; and also acts as an advocate for high standards of customer service in the insurance industry. |
| ACPO |
Association of Chief Police Officers |
ACPO is the professional body of
chief police officers. Its core activity
is developing policing policy. |
| ACPOS |
Association of Chief Police Officers (Scotland) |
ACPOS is the professional body of chief police officers in Scotland. Its core activity is developing policing policy. |
| AH |
Animal Health |
Animal Health is the government's executive agency primarily responsible for ensuring that farmed animals in Great Britain are healthy, disease-free and well looked after. |
| ASA |
Ambulance Service Association |
The aim of the ASA is “to be universally recognised as the authoritative corporate voice of the UK NHS Ambulance Services”. |
| |
Assist Trauma Care |
Offers telephone counselling and support to individuals and families in the aftermath of trauma. |
| ATOC |
Association of Train Operating Companies |
As the voice of the passenger railway, ATOC represents train companies to the government, regulatory bodies, the media and other opinion formers on tranport policy issues. |
| BCM |
Business Continuity Management |
A management process that helps manage the risks to the smooth running of an organisation or delivery of a service, ensuring that it can operate to the extent required in the event of a disruption. |
| BCP |
Business Continuity Plan |
A documented set of procedures and information intended to deliver continuity of critical functions in the event of a disruption. |
| |
Bellwin Scheme |
Discretionary scheme for providing central government financial assistance in exceptional circumstances to affected local authorities (eg. councils, police authorities) in the event of an emergency. |
| BERR |
Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform |
The Department brings together functions from the former Department of Trade and Industry, including responsibilities for productivity, business relations, energy, competition and consumers, with the Better Regulation Executive, previously part of the Cabinet Office. |
| BRC |
British Red Cross |
The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. It is part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies. When the crisis is over, it helps people to recover and move on with their lives. |
| BTP |
British Transport Police |
British Transport Police is the national police force for the railways providing a policing service to rail operators, their staff and passengers throughout England, Wales and Scotland. |
| |
Capability |
A demonstrable capacity or ability to respond to and recover from a particular threat or hazard. Originally a military term, it includes personnel, equipment, training and such matters as plans, doctrine, and the concept of operations. |
| |
Capability Programme |
The core framework through which the Government is seeking to build Resilience across all parts of the UK. The aim of the Capabilities Programme is to ensure that a robust infrastructure of response is in place to deal rapidly, effectively and flexibly with the consequences of civil devastation and widespread emergencies inflicted as a result of conventional or non-conventional disruptive activity. |
| |
Casualty |
A person physically or mentally injured in war, accident or civil emergency. For Casualty Bureau purposes, the term encompasses any person involved in an incident, including evacuees. |
| CBRN |
Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear |
Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear. Chemical, biological and radiological incidents involve both the release of the corresponding material and threats, hoaxes and false alarms. A nuclear incident would involve the detonation of a nuclear weapon or an improvised nuclear device. |
| CCA |
Civil Contingencies Act |
The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 establishes a single framework for civil protection in the United Kingdom. Part 1 of the Act establishes a clear set of roles and responsibilities for local responders. Part 2 modernises the emergency powers framework in the United Kingdom. |
| CCC |
Civil Contingencies Committee (sometimes known as COBR) |
Situated in Whitehall, it determines Government policy and strategy in relation to an emergency and formulates and co-ordinates the Government response. It can also arrange for specialist assistance to the Police. |
| CCS |
Civil Contingencies Secretariat |
Set up to improve the resilience of Central Government and the UK. |
| CE/CEO |
Chief Executive/Chief Executive Officer |
|
| CEFAS |
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science |
Cefas is an internationally renowned aquatic scientific research and consultancy centre. It aims to be the prime source of high quality science used to conserve and enhance the aquatic environment, promote sustainable management of its natural resources, and protect the public from aquatic contaminants. |
| CEPU |
Central Emergency Planning Unit |
Promotes the development of effective emergency management in Northern Ireland. |
| CFCs |
Chlorofluorocarbons |
Chemical substances used in refrigerators, air conditioners, and solvents that react with ozone, eroding the ozone layer. |
| CFOA |
Chief Fire Officers Association |
The Chief Fire Officers' Association is the foremost official organisation for principal fire officers in the UK. The Chief Fire Officers' Association was formed in 1974, following local government re-organisation, to allow Principal Fire Officers the ability to meet and discuss fire related or government influenced matters, with the aim of reaching a combined understanding of what each UK Fire Brigade needed to improve operations and training within their Service. |
| CFOA (S) |
Chief Fire Officers Association (Scotland) |
|
| CIA |
Community Impact Assessment |
|
| CIC |
Construction Industry Council |
The Construction Industry Council (CIC) is the representative forum for the professional bodies, research organisations and specialist business associations in the construction industry. |
| CICA |
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority |
See CICS. |
| CICS |
Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme |
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority administers the criminal injuries compensation scheme throughout England, Scotland and Wales. It pays compensation to people who have been the victim of a violent crime. It operates the scheme from offices in Glasgow and London. |
| CILA |
Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters |
Chartered Loss Adjusters are independent claims specialists who operate under a Royal Charter to investigate, negotiate and agree the conclusion of insurance and other claims on behalf of insurers and policyholders. |
| CLG |
Communities and Local Government |
Communities and Local Government sets UK policy on local government, housing, urban regeneration, planning and fire and rescue. It has responsibility for all race equality and community cohesion related issues across Great Britain and for building regulations, fire safety and some housing issues in England and Wales. The rest of its work applies only to England. |
| CNI |
Critical National Infrastructure |
Consists of those parts of the UK’s infrastructure for which continuity is so important to national life that loss, significant interruption, or degradation of service would have consequences with the following characteristics: life-threatening, serious economic, grave social consequences for the community and immediate concern to the Government. |
| CO |
Cabinet Office |
The Cabinet Office sits at the very centre of government and, together with the Treasury, provides the ‘head office’ of government. The Cabinet Office has an overarching purpose of Making government work better. |
| COBR |
Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms |
See CCC |
| COPFS |
Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (Scotland) |
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) is responsible for the prosecution of crime in Scotland, the investigation of sudden or suspicious deaths, and the investigation of complaints against the police. |
| COSLA |
Convention of Scottish Local Authorities |
COSLA, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, is the representative voice of Scottish local government and also acts as the employers’ association on behalf of all Scottish councils. |
| CPS |
Crown Prosecution Service |
The Crown Prosecution Service is responsible for prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the police in England and Wales. |
| CRNS |
Community Recycling Network for Scotland |
The CRNS exists to build a stronger community recycling sector in Scotland which can create real social, environmental and economic benefit within local communities. |
| CRR |
Community Risk Register |
|
| |
Cruse |
Bereavement Care – Offers counselling, advice and support throughout the UK. |
| CSA |
Child Support Agency |
The CSA is part of the Department for Work and Pensions. Its role is to make sure that parents who live apart from their children contribute financially to their upkeep by paying child maintenance. |
| CST |
Crisis Support Team |
Local Authority team to look after the longer term welfare needs of those affected by disaster. |
| DA |
Devolved Administration |
Scottish Government, Welsh Assembly Government and Northern Ireland Executive. |
| DARD |
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland) |
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) aims to promote sustainable economic growth and the development of the countryside in Northern Ireland. The Department assists the competitive development of the agri-food, fishing and forestry sectors of the Northern Ireland economy, having regard for the need of the consumers, the welfare of animals and the conservation and enhancement of the environment. |
| DCA |
Department for Constitutional Affairs |
Now the MoJ. |
| DCMS |
Department for Culture, Media and Sport |
DCMS is responsible for Government policy on the arts, sport, the National Lottery, tourism, libraries, museums and galleries, broadcasting, creative industries including film and the music industry, press freedom and regulation, licensing, gambling and the historic environment. It is the Department responsible for 2012 Olympic Games & Paralympic Games. It has responsibility for humanitarian assistance in the event of a disaster, as well as the organisation of the annual Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Cenotaph. |
| DCSF |
Department for Children, Schools and Families |
The Department for Children, Schools and Families leads work across Government to ensure that all children and young people:
- stay healthy and safe
- secure an excellent education and the highest possible standards of achievement
- enjoy their childhood
- make a positive contribution to society and the economy
- have lives full of opportunity, free from the effects of poverty.
|
| DEFRA |
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs |
Defra champions Sustainable Development, helping Government as a whole to deliver economic, social and environmental sustainability. Defra is also the focal point for rural policy, supporting strong rural communities and ensuring that dispersed rural needs are reflected in social and place-based policies across Government. |
| DfES |
Department for Education and Skills |
Now DCSF / DIUS. |
| DfID |
Department for International Development |
The Department for International Development (DFID) is the part of the UK Government that manages Britain's aid to poor countries and works to get rid of extreme poverty. |
| DfT |
Department for Transport |
The Department works to deliver a transport system which balances the needs of the economy, the environment and society. |
| DH |
Department of Health |
The aim of the Department of Health (DH) is to improve the health and wellbeing of people in England. |
| DHSSPS |
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Northern Ireland) |
The Department’s mission is to improve the health and social well-being of the people of Northern Ireland. It endeavours to do so by ensuring the provision of appropriate health and social care services, both in clinical settings such as hospitals and GPs’ surgeries, and in the community through nursing, social work and other professional services. |
| |
Disaster Action |
Provides support and guidance to those people who are affected by disasters. |
| DIUS |
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills |
The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) brings together functions from the former Department of Trade and Industry, including responsibilities for science and innovation, with further and higher education and skills, previously part of the Department for Education and Skills. |
| DOE |
Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland) |
The main responsibilities of the Department are: -
- To protect, conserve and enhance the natural and built environment for the benefit of present and future generations
- To provide land use planning which balances the development needs of the region with the protection of the environment
- To improve and promote road safety and ensure the proper regulation of drivers, vehicles and operators
- To support a system of local government that meets the needs of citizens and ratepayers.
|
| DPG |
Diplomatic Protection Group |
The Diplomatic Protection Group provides protection for foreign missions in London. |
| DPP |
Director of Public Prosecutions |
The DPP is responsible for ensuring the independent review and prosecution of criminal proceedings started by the police in England and Wales. |
| DSD |
Department for Social Development (Northern Ireland) |
DSD has strategic responsibility for urban regeneration, community and voluntary sector development, social legislation, housing, social security benefits, pensions and child support. |
| Dstl |
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory |
An Agency of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and exists to supply impartial scientific and technical research and advice to the MOD and other government departments. |
| DTI |
Department of Trade and Industry |
Now BERR / DIUS. |
| DVI |
Disaster Victim Identification |
|
| DWP |
Department for Work and Pensions |
DWP aims to:
- promote opportunity and independence for all
- help individuals achieve their potential through employment
- work to end poverty in all its forms.
|
| EA |
Environment Agency |
The EA is the leading public body for protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales. Its job is to make sure that air, land and water are looked after by everyone in today's society. |
| EC |
European Commission |
The European Commission embodies and upholds the general interest of the Union and is the driving force in the Union's institutional system. Its four main roles are to propose legislation to Parliament and the Council, to administer and implement Community policies, to enforce Community law (jointly with the Court of Justice) and to negotiate international agreements, mainly those relating to trade and cooperation. |
| ECC |
Emergency Control Centre |
Usually at the Local Authority HQ. |
| EC RRG |
Electronic Communications - Resilience and Response Group |
|
| EEA |
European Economic Area |
The free-trade area, which binds all EC countries and three members of the European Free Trade Association. |
| EFALA |
Emergency Financial Assistance for Local Authorities (Wales) |
|
| EHS |
Environment and Heritage Service (Northern Ireland) |
The EHS is the largest Agency within the Department of the Environment. EHS takes the lead in advising on, and in implementing, the Government's environmental policy and strategy in Northern Ireland. The Agency carries out a range of activities, which promote the Government's key themes of sustainable development, biodiversity and climate change. |
| ELVs |
End-of-Life Vehicles |
|
| |
Emergency |
An event or situation that threatens serious damage to human welfare in a place in the UK, or the environment of a place in the UK, or war or terrorism which threatens serious damage to the security of the UK. To constitute an emergency, an event or situation must additionally require the implementation of special arrangements by one or more Category 1 responder. |
| EPA |
Environmental Protection Act |
|
| EPC |
Emergency Planning College |
The Emergency Planning College is the leading provider of training for emergency preparedness, attracting delegates with responsibility for preventing, planning for, responding to or recovering from a major incident. |
| EPU |
Emergency Planning Unit |
|
| EU |
European Union |
|
| |
Fatality |
A person killed in war, accident or civil emergency. |
| FCO |
Foreign and Commonwealth Office |
The purpose of the FCO is to work for UK interests in a safe, just and prosperous world. It does this with some 16,000 staff, based in the UK and an overseas network of over 200 diplomatic offices. |
| FLO |
Family Liaison Officer |
A Police Officer allocated responsibility for one or more families of the deceased. |
| FOS |
Financial Ombudsman Service |
The independent service for settling disputes between businesses providing financial services and their customers. |
| FRN |
Furniture Re-use Network |
The FRN is the national body which supports, assists and develops charitable re-use organisations across the UK. It helps households in need of access furniture, white goods and other household items at affordable prices. In addition, it supports re-use organisations in providing training and work placement opportunities for people who are socially excluded. |
| FRS |
Fire and Rescue Service |
|
| FSA |
Financial Services Authority |
The FSA is an independent body that regulates the financial services industry in the UK. |
| FSA |
Food Standards Agency |
A non-ministerial Government department which acts to protect the public’s health and consumer interests in relation to food. |
| FSCS |
Financial Services Compensation Scheme |
The FSCS is the UK's statutory fund of last resort for customers of authorised financial services firms. This means that FSCS can pay compensation if a firm is unable, or likely to be unable, to pay claims against it. |
| GCF |
General Capital Funding |
|
| GCN |
Government Communications Network |
A network of communication professionals who help the Government of the day to communicate with the public. |
| GDS |
Government Decontamination Service |
DEFRA agency responsible for developing guidance for responsible authorities on decontamination of CBRN affected structures. |
| GLO |
Government Liaison Officer |
During a non-terrorist emergency, the Government Office (usually the Regional Resilience Team) will act as the GLO, facilitating two way communications between Central Government and local responders and provision of support. Would lead the Government Liaison Team (GLT). During a terrorist emergency, the GLO will be a Home Office representative who provides the liaison between Central Government and the Police Strategic Commander. He / she also offer advice on how to achieve strategic objectives sought by the Government. Would lead the Government Liaison Team (GLT) which would include a Government Office representative. During the recovery phase, the GLO role in liaising with the RCG would usually be taken by the Government Office. |
| GLT |
Government Liaison Team |
The GLT depends upon the circumstances of the emergency. During a non-terrorist emergency, the RRT GLO may be supported by other officials from the Government Office and / or from Central Government Departments. During a terrorist emergency, the Home Office GLO will normally be support by the Security Service and a representative of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, as well as a representative from the Government Office. |
| GNN |
Government News Network |
Acts as a regional arm of press offices in Government Departments and supports Government Offices for the Regions in their co-ordination and policy delivery programmes |
| GO |
Government Office |
Government Offices (GOs) are Central Government in the Regions. They carry out work for 10 Whitehall Departments including the Cabinet Office, Home Office, DEFRA, CLG and BERR. They are the primary means by which a wide range of Government policies are delivered in the nine English regions. |
| GP |
General Practitioner |
|
| GS(M)R |
Gas Safety (Management) Regulations |
|
| HAC |
Humanitarian Assistance
Centre |
Centre established to provide access
to support, care and advice to all
who might have been affected by an
incident. |
| HAU |
Humanitarian Assistance Unit |
Part of DCMS. |
| HAZMAT |
Hazardous Materials |
|
| HCFCs |
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons |
Organic compounds like CFCs but with extra hydrogen atoms, and a lower ozone-destroying potential. |
| HMRI |
Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate |
The role of HMRI is to secure the proper control by dutyholders of risks to the health and safety of employees, passengers and others who might be affected by the operation of Britain's railways. |
| HMT |
Her Majesty’s Treasury |
The Treasury is the United Kingdom's economics and finance ministry. It is responsible for formulating and implementing the Government's financial and economic policy. |
| HO |
Home Office |
The Home Office is the government department responsible for leading the national effort to protect the public from terrorism, crime and anti-social behaviour. |
| HPA |
Health Protection Agency |
The Health Protection Agency's role is to provide an integrated approach to protecting UK public health through the provision of support and advice to the NHS, local authorities, emergency services, other Arms Length Bodies, the Department of Health and the Devolved Administrations. |
| HPA PRD |
Health Protection Agency - Radiation Protection Division |
Part of the Health Protection Agency. The statutory functions are: by means of research and otherwise, to advance the acquisition of knowledge about the protection of mankind from radiation hazards and to provide information and advice to persons with responsibilities in the UK in relation to the protection from radiation hazards either of the community as a whole or a particular sections of the community. |
| HPS |
Health Protection Scotland |
Health Protection Scotland (HPS) was established by the Scottish Executive to strengthen and co-ordinate health protection in Scotland. HPS came into existence on 11 November 2004. |
| HRA |
Housing Revenue Account |
|
| HSCTs |
Health and Social Care Trusts (Northern Ireland) |
|
| HSE |
Health and Safety Executive |
Britain’s Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and the HSE are responsible for the regulation of almost all the risks to health and safety arising from work activity in Britain. |
| |
Humanitarian Assistance |
Humanitarian assistance (as defined by Anne Eyre, 2007) refers to those activities aimed at meeting the needs of people affected by emergencies. In particular this includes:
- those elements of planning, training and exercising aimed at meeting people’s practical and emotional needs;
- response activities focussing on meeting people’s needs during and immediately after emergencies; and
- the co-ordination and provision of psychological and social aftercare for those affected in the weeks, months and years that follow.
|
| IDeA |
Improvement and Development Agency |
The IDeA works for local government improvement so councils can serve people and places better. It uses experienced councillors and senior officers, known as peers, who support and challenge councils to improve themselves. |
| |
Identification Commission |
Group representing all aspects of the identification process, which is set up to consider and determine the identity of the deceased to the satisfaction of HM Coroner. |
| ICO |
Information Commissioner’s Office |
The Information Commissioner's Office is the UK's independent authority set up to promote access to official information and to protect personal information. |
| IGC |
Intergovernmental Commission |
The IGC was formed to supervise, in the name and on behalf of the two Governments, all matters concerning the construction and operation of the Channel Tunnel. |
| IOSH |
Institution of Occupational Safety and Health |
|
| JRLO |
Joint Regional Liaison Officer |
Responsible for tri-service co-ordination of UK Operations (including MACA) in the region. |
| KSA |
Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes |
|
| LA |
Local Authority |
|
| LAA |
Local Area Agreement |
|
| LACORS |
Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services |
The local government central body responsible for overseeing local authority regulatory and related services, including private sector housing. LACORS is responsible for:
- providing specialist advice and guidance
- promoting good practice
- influencing and lobbying on behalf of local government, and
- leading and partnering initiatives to enhance the reputation of regulatory services.
|
| LATS |
Landfill Allowances Trading Scheme |
|
| LGA |
Local Government Association |
The LGA exists to promote better local government. |
| LGD |
Lead Government Department |
Where Central Government co-ordination is needed, a designated LGD will be made responsible for the overall management of the Central Government response. |
| LGEMG |
Local Government Emergency Management Group (Northern Ireland) |
|
| LRF |
Local Resilience Forum |
A process for bringing together all the Category 1 and Category 2 responders within a local police force area for the purpose of facilitating co-operation in fulfilment of their duties under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. |
| LSP |
Local Strategic Partnership |
|
| MACA |
Military Aid to the Civil Authority |
The overarching term covering all categories of aid, which the Ministry Of Defence, (MOD) may provide to the civil authorities. |
| MACC |
Military Aid to the Civil Contingencies |
Consists of the 3 categories of aid: Category A – Assistance in an emergency such as natural disaster where there is immediate danger to life; Category B – Routine assistance for projects and events; Category C – Individual assistance by volunteers in the social services field. |
| MACP |
Military Aid to the Civil Power |
Assistance to the civil power usually, but not exclusively, involving the provision of direct assistance in the maintenance of law and order, normally using specialist capabilities or equipment, in situations beyond the capacity of the civil power. It includes Counter Terrorism (CT) and non CT Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). |
| MAGD |
Military Aid to the Other Government Departments |
Involves the use of the Armed Forces in the maintenance of essential supplies in a national emergency. |
| MAIB |
Marine Accident Investigation Branch |
The MAIB examines and investigates all types of marine accidents to or on board UK ships worldwide, and other ships in UK territorial waters. |
| MATTE |
Major accident to the environment |
|
| MCA |
Maritime and Coastguard Agency |
Responsible for maritime search and rescue, and dealing with maritime pollution (to sea and shoreline). |
| MEF |
(National) Media Emergency Forum |
National Forum on working protocols and the resilience of communications systems. |
| MLO |
Military Liaison Officer |
A military officer, appointed by the regional military headquarters, embedded within a civilian authority’s command and control structure to provide an immediate point of contact. |
| MOD |
Ministry of Defence |
|
| MoJ |
Ministry of Justice |
|
| MoU |
Memorandum of Understanding |
|
| MPS |
Metropolitan Police Service |
The MPS is the largest of the police services that operate in greater London. |
| MRA |
Major Repairs Allowance |
|
| |
Mutual Aid |
An agreement between responders, within the same sector or across sectors and boundaries, to provide assistance with additional resources during an emergency which may go beyond the resources of an individual responder. |
| NAA |
National Assistance Act |
|
| NAO |
National Audit Office |
The National Audit Office scrutinises public spending on behalf of Parliament. It is totally independent of Government. |
| NARO |
Nuclear Accident Response Organisation |
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) maintains a Nuclear Accident Response Organisation (NARO) to respond to an accident or incident, including one arising through terrorist acts, involving defence nuclear assets. (Defence nuclear assets include: nuclear weapons, special nuclear materials, nuclear facilities and naval nuclear reactors). |
| NAW |
National Assembly for Wales |
The National Assembly for Wales is the representative body with legislative powers in devolved areas. It has sixty elected members and meets in the Senedd. |
| NEAT |
National Emergency Alert for Telecoms |
|
| NCC |
News Co-ordination Centre |
The NCC works with the Lead Government Department to provide co-ordinated media and public communications support during an emergency. |
| NCP |
National Contingency Plan for Marine Pollution from Shipping and Offshore Installations |
|
| NCTT |
National Community Tensions Team |
The NCTT represents the police service in some of the most contentious areas of policing. |
| NEC |
Network Emergency Co-ordinator |
|
| NHS |
National Health Service |
|
| NIHE |
Northern Ireland Housing Executive |
Responsible for public housing policy and delivery. Works with Housing Associations to provide public sector and social housing. |
| NIO |
Northern Ireland Office |
The NIO has responsibility for Northern Ireland’s constitutional and security issues, in particular, law and order, political affairs, policing and criminal justice. It also has responsibility for matters relating to the licensing and legislation concerning firearms and explosives, including fireworks. |
| NOS |
National Occupational Standards |
National Occupational Standards are statements of the skills, knowledge and understanding needed in employment and clearly define the outcomes of competent performance. |
| NPHS |
National Public Health Service for Wales |
|
| NVASEC |
National Voluntary Aid Society Emergency Committee |
Provides a UK-wide forum for addressing voluntary sector matters in respect of national integrated contingency planning. |
| ODS |
Ozone Depleting Substances |
|
| OFCOM |
Office of Communications |
Ofcom is the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services. |
| OFMDFMNI |
Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, Northern Ireland |
Northern Ireland Executive Department responsible for contingency planning. |
| OFWAT |
Office of Water Services |
The economic regulator for the water and sewerage industry in England and Wales. |
| OGC |
Office of Government Commerce |
Works with government to improve procurement and project/programme management. Also works with suppliers to make the government marketplace more efficient and attractive to business. |
| OGD |
Other Government Departments |
|
| ORR |
Office of Rail Regulation |
On 1 April 2006, in addition to its role as economic regulator, ORR became the health and safety regulator for the rail industry when responsibility was transferred from the Health and Safety Executive. |
| PCT |
Primary Care Trust |
Covering all parts of England - control of local health care while Strategic Health Authorities monitor performance and standards. |
| PNICC |
Police National Information and Co-ordination Centre |
|
| |
Pool Re Scheme |
The Pool Re scheme was set up by the insurance industry in partnership with the UK Government, in 1993, and is designed to ensure that insurance cover can continue to be offered by insurers for damage caused by acts of terrorism to commercial property in Great Britain. |
| PPC |
Pollution Prevention and Control |
|
| PTE |
Passenger Transport Executive |
A Passenger Transport Exeutive is designed to provide a single integrated public transport network. A PTE works with local authorities and Government to set strategies affecting rail, road, bus and othe public transport services within their area. |
| PTSD |
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder |
|
| RAIB |
Rail Accident Investigation Branch |
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) is the independent railway accident investigation organisation for the UK. It investigates railway accidents and incidents on the UK's railways to improve safety, not to establish blame. |
| RCAHMW |
Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales |
|
| RCCC |
Regional Civil Contingencies Committee |
A committee which meets during an
emergency when a regional
response or other action at the
regional level is required. |
| RCG |
Recovery Co-ordinating Group |
The decision making body for the recovery phase once handover has taken place from the Police. Takes advice from its Sub-Groups, decides the strategy and ensures implementations of strategy and the rebuilding of public confidence. |
| RDA |
Regional Development Agency |
RDAs have five statutory objectives:
- to further economic development and regeneration
- to promote business efficiency and competitiveness
- to promote employment
- to enhance to application and development of skills relevant to employment
- to contribute to sustainable development.
|
| RDT |
Rapid Deployment Team |
Part of the FCO’s rapid response to overseas emergencies. |
| |
Recovery |
The process of rebuilding, restoring and rehabilitating the community following an emergency. |
| REDS |
Regional Emergencies Disaster Support |
REDS is a membership benefit of the East Midlands Museums Service.
There is a strong element of self-help – REDS is there to help those who help themselves. REDS offers a degree of support, expertise and guidance based on regular Team members’ training.
|
| REPPIR |
Radiation Emergency Preparedness and Public Information Regulations 2001 |
Lays down the safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public against the dangers arising from ionising radiation. Also partly implement the Public Information Directive by subsuming the Public Information for Radiation Emergencies Regulations 1992 (PIRER) on informing the general public about health protection measures to be applied and steps to be taken in the event of an emergency. |
| |
Resilience |
The ability of the community, services or infrastructure to withstand the consequences of an incident. |
| |
Response |
Response encompasses the actions taken to deal with the immediate effects of an emergency. In many scenarios it is likely to be relatively short and to last for a matter of hours or days – rapid implementation of arrangements for collaboration, co-ordination and communication are, therefore, vital. Response encompasses the effort to deal not only with the direct effects of the emergency itself (e.g. fighting fires, rescuing individuals) but also the indirect effects (e.g. disruption, media interest). |
| RICTs |
Rail Incident Care Teams |
|
| RIMNET |
Radioactive Incident Monitoring Network |
The national radiation monitoring and nuclear emergency response system. |
| RMEF |
Regional Media Emergency Forum |
Regional mirror of the national Media Emergency Forum. |
| RSAP |
Rural Stress Action Plan |
The RSAP is intended to reduce the incidence of stress in rural areas by strengthening the provision of support for rural people. The actions include influencing mental health and well-being services and tackling social and psychological isolation. |
| RRF |
Regional Resilience Forum |
A multi-agency forum comprising
chief officers of Category 1 and 2
responder organisations established to provide strategic direction to multi-agency planning at the regional level. |
| RRT |
Regional Resilience Team |
There is an RRT in each Government Office (GO). The primary role of the RRT is to ensure effective communication between the national and local level during the planning phase and in the event of an emergency. In carrying out this role in an emergency, it may be appropriate for the RRT to place a Liaison Officer with the SCG and RCG. In the event of a terrorist emergency, the RRT will work with the GLT, focussing particularly on the consequence management and recovery aspects of the emergency. |
| RSL |
Registered Social Landlord |
|
| SA |
Salvation Army |
|
| |
Samaritans |
Offers a 24-hour helpline for those in crisis. |
| SCG |
Strategic Co-ordinating Group |
Multi-agency group that sets the
policy and strategic framework for
emergency response and recovery
work at the local level. |
| SE |
Scottish Executive |
Now Scottish Government. |
| SECC |
Scottish Emergency Co-ordinating Committee |
An ad-hoc group convened to discuss strategic consequence management issues arising from emergencies. |
| SEERAD |
Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department |
|
| SEPA |
Scottish Environment Protection Agency |
Scotland’s environmental regulator and adviser, responsible to the Scottish Parliament through Ministers. As well as its role in controlling pollution, we work with others to protect and improve the environment. |
| SERF |
Scottish Executive Resilience Forum |
Remit to communicate resilience work in Scotland to Ministers; increase visibility between departmental resilience work; engage depts with UK counterparts and identify best practice. |
| SERM |
Scene Evidence Recovery Manager |
|
| SG |
Scottish Government |
Responsible for most of the issues of day-to-day concern to the people of Scotland, including health, education, justice, rural affairs, and transport. |
| SHA |
Strategic Health Authority |
|
| SIM |
Senior Identification
Manager |
Police Officer responsible for
managing the victim identification
process. |
| SIO |
Senior Investigating Officer |
Police Officer responsible for the
investigation into the incident,
gathering all available evidence in
conjunction with other investigative
bodies where appropriate. |
| SITREP |
Situation Report |
|
| SMEs |
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises |
|
| SOSREP |
Secretary of State’s Representative |
|
| S-PICC |
Scottish Police Information and Co-ordination Centre |
|
| SSA |
Social Security Agency (Northern Ireland) |
The SSA’s main business is to:
- assess and pay social security benefits accurately and securely;
- give advice and information about these benefits;
- handle reviews and appeals;
- prevent and detect benefit fraud, prosecute offenders and recover any benefit which has been paid incorrectly;
- recover benefit which has been paid in compensation cases; and
- assess people’s financial circumstances if they are applying for legal aid.
|
| STAC |
Science and Technical Advice Cell |
A sub-group of the SCG and RCG led by an appropriate person from the health community (HPA or DPH), together with other relevant organisations to provide strategic direction, co-ordination and assessment of health, scientific and environmental protection issues. |
| TANs |
Technical Advice Notes |
|
| TfL |
Transport for London |
|
| TOCs |
Train Operating Companies |
|
| VIP |
Very Important Person |
|
| VSCPF |
Voluntary Sector Civil Protection Forum |
|
| WAG |
Welsh Assembly Government |
Executive arm of the National Assembly for Wales. |
| WCCC |
Wales Civil Contingencies Committee |
|
| WDAs |
Waste Disposal Authorities |
The WDA manages the waste collected by local councils. |
| WEEE |
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment |
|
| WRF |
Wales Resilience Forum |
The WRF exists to promote good communication and the enhancement of emergency planning across agencies and services in Wales by providing a forum for Chief Officers to discuss with Welsh Assembly Government Ministers strategic issues of emergency preparedness. |
| WRVS |
Women’s Royal Voluntary Service |
A major service provider giving practical help, particularly for older people, to enable choice, independence and dignity so people can enjoy an improved quality of life. It has 56,000 volunteers. |
