Disaster – There is no universal definition of disaster, but in this training it is generally considered to be the combination of an exposure to a hazard, the conditions of vulnerability and insufficient capacity to respond. This is covered in much more depth in module 1.
Emergency – The term used in the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 instead of disaster, defined as an event threatening serious damage the human welfare or the environment, or war or terrorism.
Civil Contingencies Act 2004 – The primary legislation in the UK for responding to emergencies.
Local Resilience Forums – Multi-agency partnerships for planning emergency response.
Category 1 Responders – Core responders in an emergency, including local authorities, NHS, Police.
Category 2 Responders – Co-operating responders in an emergency, including utility companies and transport organisations.
Humanitarian Assistance Lead Officer (HALO) – Appointed by local authorities to oversee humanitarian assistance efforts as part of the London Resilience Partnership.
Family Liaison Officer – Police investigator providing information and support to families in the event of a crime or disaster.
Disaster Capitalism – Taking advantage of a disaster to enact or promote economic policies or advantage in a way that would be unacceptable under normal circumstances.