Major Incidents

JESIP is about effective, joint working at all incidents, not just major ones

It doesn’t matter if we have two responders at an incident or two hundred, the JESIP models and principles should be applied.

It is important, however, to recognise that when an incident has reached a certain size or complexity it will require additional support or arrangements to manage it.

In these cases we use the term ‘major incident’.

So what is a Major Incident?

An event or situation with a range of serious consequences which requires special arrangements to be implemented by one or more emergency responder organisation

What does that mean?

Responder organisations may have a specific plan to be activated should a major incident be declared.

This plan will set out the special arrangements, including the command structure to be applied to manage the incident.

As part of the escalation process, information should be passed to partner organisations as soon as possible, so that they know your organisation has declared a major incident.

You may also find additional levels of command being brought in such as tactical and strategic commanders

Do you know if your organisation has a major incident plan and if you have a specific role to play when a major incident is declared?

What may be a major incident for one organisation may not be for others.

The early sharing of the declaration of a major incident with partner organisations will allow them to assess if this is a major incident for their organisation too and consider their own response.

The earlier a major incident is declared, the sooner appropriate arrangements can be put in place

If a major incident declaration is needed but doesn't happen quickly enough, this can lead to problems in shared situational awareness and therefore the co-ordination of a joint response.

In general, even if there is some doubt, it is better to declare a major incident, and then scale down if it then turns out we didn't need to declare one.