Major Incident
Roles and Responsibilities

First officer at the scene

Responsibilities

The first officer to be despatched to the scene:

• calls the originator and gives them their estimated time of arrival
• assesses their personal health and safety risks and PPE needs
• establishes contact with emergency services
• confirms the fire service has declared the incident over
• follows the Police Gold’s instructions, if the incident is declared a civil contingency event
• determines whether the police retain control of the site or it has been released to the occupier
• prepares to make a holding statement for the media, if required

They also:

• start a written log
• survey and assess the incident
• assume interim control of the investigation
• assess the health & safety needs of other HSE staff who will attend

They notify:

• HSE Secretariat (020 7928 6917; out of hours: 020 7928 8382)
• duty officer (0151 922 9235) if required
• Area/Regional Director, especially if civil contingency plans are activated
• relevant head of section
• relevant specialist(s)
• DoT (0207 7944 5999), if necessary
• DTI (0207 215 3505), if necessary

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