What is a Major Incident?
A major incident in relation to the public services is an emergency that requires specialist
tactics via numerous emergency services because there are a large amount of casualties,
evacuation required, contamination, large scale disruption to the community etc..
When a major incident occurs it is broken down into four stages:
Initial response which is when the emergency services are on their way to the scene.
The consolidation response which is when the emergency services work out what it is they
are up against e.g, number of casualties, locations involved, is an evacuation needed etc..
The recovery stage, this is once the situation is under control and usually marks the end of
potential danger.
The return to normality stage, this is the lengthy part, securing areas of the public, police
investigations, victim assistance, attempting to get the surrounding area back to normality.
The public services deal with major incidents in 3 bands, gold, silver and bronze.
Gold (Strategic)
They are located in a control room where they prepare the strategy for dealing with the
incident, prioritize resources and co-ordinate responders.
Silver (Tactical)
This is the person in charge at the scene of the incident. They decide how to use their
resources and the tactics to be used.
Bronze (Operational)
Also at the scene of the incident, if the incident is widespread they will be responsible for
any other areas that may be affected, they are responsible for developing public order and
ensuring that the tactical plans are developed.
The Grenfell Tower Incident
On the 14th of June 2017 a fire broke out in the 24 story Grenfell tower in London. It
caused 72 deaths and many injuries. The cause of the fire was a fridge that malfunctioned
because of an electrical fault on one of the bottom floors it then spread rapidly up the
building surrounding it in fire and smoke. The rapid spread of the fire was attributed to the
fact that the building was fitted with a cheaper version of cladding which was more
flammable.
A major incident in relation to the public services is an emergency that requires specialist
tactics via numerous emergency services because there are a large amount of casualties,
evacuation required, contamination, large scale disruption to the community etc..
When a major incident occurs it is broken down into four stages:
Initial response which is when the emergency services are on their way to the scene.
The consolidation response which is when the emergency services work out what it is they
are up against e.g, number of casualties, locations involved, is an evacuation needed etc..
The recovery stage, this is once the situation is under control and usually marks the end of
potential danger.
The return to normality stage, this is the lengthy part, securing areas of the public, police
investigations, victim assistance, attempting to get the surrounding area back to normality.
The public services deal with major incidents in 3 bands, gold, silver and bronze.
Gold (Strategic)
They are located in a control room where they prepare the strategy for dealing with the
incident, prioritize resources and co-ordinate responders.
Silver (Tactical)
This is the person in charge at the scene of the incident. They decide how to use their
resources and the tactics to be used.
Bronze (Operational)
Also at the scene of the incident, if the incident is widespread they will be responsible for
any other areas that may be affected, they are responsible for developing public order and
ensuring that the tactical plans are developed.
The Grenfell Tower Incident
On the 14th of June 2017 a fire broke out in the 24 story Grenfell tower in London. It
caused 72 deaths and many injuries. The cause of the fire was a fridge that malfunctioned
because of an electrical fault on one of the bottom floors it then spread rapidly up the
building surrounding it in fire and smoke. The rapid spread of the fire was attributed to the
fact that the building was fitted with a cheaper version of cladding which was more
flammable.
