Cabinet Office UK Resilience

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.

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.