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Civil Contingencies

Civil Emergencies — Authorised Professional Practice

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Summary

The Civil Contingencies guidance outlines a structured response framework for UK police officers in emergencies or major incidents. It emphasizes the establishment of a command structure based on strategic, tactical, and operational commands, which can adapt to various incident scales. The process includes three main response phases: reaction, rescue, and retrieval/investigation. Key activities in these phases include declaring major incidents, coordinating responses, establishing command, and ensuring public safety. The framework aims to foster collaboration among different agencies and improve situational awareness during emergencies, emphasizing effective communication and resource management.

Key principles

  • 1Establish a clear command structure at the scene.
  • 2Follow a flexible response process tailored to incident size.
  • 3Utilize METHANE reporting for effective communication.
  • 4Ensure multi-agency cooperation and joint decision-making.
  • 5Prioritize life preservation and safety of responders.
  • 6Implement traffic and scene management protocols.

Defined terms

METHANE
A reporting framework that provides a structure for sharing incident information: Major incident, Exact location, Type of incident, Hazards, Access, Number of casualties, Emergency services required.
Joint decision model (JDM)
A decision-making framework based on the national decision model, used to establish plans of action during major incidents.
Forward command post (FCP)
The management post for the incident officer and central point for emergency and support services.
Casualty clearing station (CCS)
A temporary structure for assessing and treating casualties between the inner and outer cordons.
Rendezvous point (RVP)
A designated location for emergency services personnel to gather before being deployed to an incident.
Inner cordon
An area enclosing the scene of an incident which contains any hazard or contamination.
Outer cordon
An area that creates a safe working space for emergency services and prevents unauthorized access.

This is a brief, factual summary. The full APP guidance — including operational detail, statutory references and case studies — lives on the College of Policing website. APP is the authoritative source for UK policing practice.

Read the full APP guidance

Source: College of Policing — Authorised Professional Practice · Crown copyright, licensed under Open Government Licence v3.0. Summary fetched 2026-06-27.