Glossary

Layers of water in contact with the channel bed and sides are slowed by the effects of friction. In addition, the water a little closer to the middle is slowed by friction against the slower water beside it. The quickest flow is in the centre of the channel just below the surface – furthest from the bottom and edge of the bank.

Also called Weil’s disease, this is an infection that can be contracted from animals, soil or water

The lethal dose (LD₅₀ or LC₅₀) is the dose causing 50 percent death in an animal population. LD₅₀ is given as a measure of the acute toxicity of the chemical substance. The lower the LD₅₀ the higher the acute toxicity. There is no necessary correlation between acute and chronic toxicity.

A commercial goods vehicle that has a weight of up to 3500kg

Term used for a line that is blocked for the normal operation of trains, either when it is undergoing maintenance or due to an incident

Person responsible for properly loading, securing and escorting cargo and passengers for an aircraft

The lowest concentration of a gas with potential to burn in air or explode

A wide range of materials that use the inherent strength and durability of woven fibres bonded together with resins. Previously known as man-made mineral fibres.

Holding the head and neck of a casualty in neutral alignment to discourage the casualty from moving their head, protect the head and neck from accidental contact during a busy rescue and provide an indication to other rescuers that there could be a problem with the neck or spine

Generic term for an area to which resources and personnel not immediately required at the scene or being held for further use can be directed to stand by

Microorganisms, especially bacteria causing disease or fermentation

Assigned to civil authorities to advise on the military capabilities and resources available to support an emergency response

Also referred to as a linear cutting cord (LCC) or a mild detonating cord. This is an explosive cord within military aircraft that have assisted escape systems; the explosion shatters the canopy before the ejection seat leaves the aircraft.

A miscible liquid or material can be mixed with another liquid or material without separating from it

A vehicle-mounted or hand-held computerised device for storing, retrieving, sending and receiving data

Responsible for ensuring that, during times of rail service disruption or incidents with the potential to cause service disruption, any incident is managed effectively with the aim to minimise delay and to co-ordinate a prompt service recovery

Information can be transferred electronically to various agencies instantaneously providing a clear understanding of assistance required.

A pre-identified space which is large enough to accommodate and coordinate the command and logistical support structures of all emergency services and agencies required for a national response to an emergency

Having the ability to cause a permanent change in an organism’s genes

Provides national level support to governments and the emergency services to reduce the local and national impacts of chemical incidents

A security vetted, trained and identifiable responder from the emergency services who is a tactical adviser but can assume a command role if required. They can operate at pre-planned or spontaneous operations with extensive knowledge of multi-agency capability, procedures and processes to enable operations at high threat and terrorist incidents.