Glossary

A sliding gate or other device for controlling the flow of water, especially one in a lock gate.

A high-quality alternative to fossil fuel produced from mainly commercial waste including paper, card, wood, textiles and plastic. It goes through additional processing to improve the quality and value and has a higher calorific value than RDF. It is used in facilities such as cement kilns.

Action taken to create space in a mode of transport or structure to gain access to a casualty, in order to carry out extrication or provide casualty care.

This common practice for both long straw and combed wheat reed roofs involves having just the decayed top surfaces of the thatch removed and then over-coated (spar coated) rather than stripped completely to the rafters. The spar coat is fixed to the layer beneath it with twisted hazel spars.

Occur when emergency calls are received simultaneously for multiple incidents at various locations, which are more than normal emergency call levels.

Occur with little or no warning when multiple emergency calls about the same incident are received.

Effect of using a water jet, for example on hot metal such as the undercarriage of an aircraft after a crash landing.

Used on a hydrant to bring the outlet above ground level. The term normally includes the bend at the top which, when used separately, is known as the standpipe head. Standpipes may have single or double outlets. Risers in buildings may be referred to as standpipes.

Person responsible for station operations in the rail infrastructure.

Also known as the suprasternal notch, this is a well-defined triangular dip at the front of the neck in humans, between the clavicles and above the sternum.

A balanced mixture of fuel and oxidant, where no excess of either remains after combustion. Mixtures containing more fuel than the stoichiometric mixture are known as rich mixtures, and ones containing less fuel are lean mixtures.

This is accumulated energy that can release suddenly, potentially causing serious injury or death. Stored energy can have many forms, including gravitational potential energy, pressurised gases and liquids, stored mechanical energy, and stored electrical energy. It is particularly dangerous because the hazard still remains, even though the original source of the energy may have been removed.

Either manufactured objects such as fences, drains or railings, or natural objects such as trees, roots or vegetation. They allow water to pass through, but can trap solid objects.

A group with the purpose of taking overall responsibility for the multi-agency management of an incident and establishing a strategic framework, within which lower levels of command and co-ordinating groups will work.

A place for the strategic co-ordinating group to meet, at a location away from the scene that provides a support infrastructure. This will usually be hosted by the lead organisation.

A location providing sufficient personnel and facilities for the reception and co-ordination of mutual aid and other supporting resources at major incidents.

The term for the PPE including helmet, fire hood, fire gloves, tunic, over trousers and boots suitable for firefighting.

Under the surface of water or other liquid.

The act or process of going or being put under the surface of water or other liquid or the state of being under water or other liquid.

The collective term for systems in a mode of transport designed to protect occupants from an impact.

Used to monitor radiation levels where radioactive materials or other radiation sources are present. Generally, they are battery operated and portable.

Trained and recognised specialists with specific references within local or National Resilience capabilities.

People operating at the tactical level should form this group, which should meet at an appropriate and mutually agreed location as soon as practicable. The location should be capable of providing appropriate administrative and technical support and be suitable for holding effective meetings. For some sites, pre-existing locations may have been identified.

This indicates the decision by the incident commander about whether to deploy personnel in the hazard area or not.

The systematic or staged withdrawal of personnel from the hazard area.