This page is from APP, the official source of professional practice for policing.
In the event of an emergency or major incident, it is necessary to establish a dedicated command structure.
The civil contingencies command and control structure is based on strategic, tactical and operational commands. The principles of command and control are scalable and can be applied across different levels from national to local and in a multi-agency setting.
Response and recovery arrangements should follow a common set of underlying principles, but should also be flexible and able to be tailored to reflect individual circumstances.
This common framework contributes to a cohesive multi-agency response and good shared situational awareness. The principles apply across tiers at all levels.
The response process consists of the following phases:
Reaction
This is the first phase of the response process. Key activities for the reaction phase include:
- completing a METHANE or ETHANE report
- coordinating initial reports
- declaring a major incident, when appropriate
- activating the response framework and/or local emergency plans
- activating notification cascades to relevant people
- establishing a command and control structure (multi-agency, where appropriate) for the incident
- establishing an Airwave communications interoperability plan
- activating command support functions
- identifying and deploying resources
- identifying safe and suitable rendezvous points
- considering initial health and safety guidance for responding personnel
- declaring a mobilisation
- containing measures to prevent escalation of the incident
- implementing business continuity management plans, if required
- consideration of public health advice and establishing a scientific and technical advice cell (STAC)
Rescue
The priorities in this phase are:
- for the emergency services to rescue casualties and survivors
- to ensure that appropriate medical attention is given as soon as possible
Key actions for this phase may include:
- rescuing all casualties and survivors
- decontaminating casualties and survivors (if required)
- implementing cordon control arrangements
- providing triage, treatment, stabilisation and transportation of casualties to receiving hospitals
- establishing a survivors reception centre
- establishing a media reception point
- facilitating access for responding partner agencies
- establishing police documentation teams
For further information go to the Cabinet Office's Emergency response and recovery guidance.
Retrieval and investigation
In most cases where a major incident occurs, a police investigation commences to establish whether any crimes have been committed and, if so, by whom. Further information on major investigations is available in the Major investigations and public protection APP.
Key actions for this phase may include:
- early integration within the existing scene command structure to ensure shared situational awareness
- implementing the forensic strategy for the scene, which is provided by the senior investigating officer in consultation with the senior identification manager
- recovering deceased people and human remains in accordance with disaster victim identification (DVI) principles
- establishing a victim holding audit area (VHAA) or areas, as required
- retrieving personal effects
- securing and retrieving evidence from the scene
- ensuring involvement of key personnel, such as the coroner
- compiling an ongoing community impact assessment
- preparing for the handover of lead coordinating agency responsibility