Glossary / Definitions

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MACA

Military Aid to the Civil Authority

Major Accident on Site

Major Incident

Marine Response Centre

A co-ordination centre established by the MCA in marine pollution cases requiring a national response.

Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC)

HM Coastguard regional centre responsible for promoting the efficient organisation of search and rescue services and for co-ordinating the conduct of search and rescue operations within a search and rescue region.

Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC)

HM Coastguard unit subordinate to a rescue co-ordination centre and established to complement the latter.

Marshalling Area

Ambulance Parking Point - The place designated at the scene of a major incident where arriving ambulances can park, thus avoiding congestion at the entrance to the site or at the Ambulance Loading Point. These areas are also suitable for staff briefings, procurement of refreshments and restocking of equipment.

Marshalling Area

Area to which resources and personnel not immediately required at the scene or being held for further use can be directed to stand by. Fire Brigade reliefs may be directed there to be briefed prior to final deployment by Silver Fire.

Marshalling Area Officer

Emergency Service representatives at above station.

MCA

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Media Centre

Central location for media enquiries, providing communication, conference, monitoring, interview and briefing facilities and access to responding organisation personnel. Staffed by spokespersons from all the principal services/organisations responding.

Media Liaison Officer

Representative who has responsibility for liaising with the media on behalf of his/her organisation.

Media Liaison Point

Premises at or adjacent to the scene designated for exclusive use by accredited media representatives and through which official press releases will be issued.

Medical Incident Officer (MIO)

Medical officer responsible for management of non ambulance medical resources at the scene of an emergency.

MEF

Media Emergency Forum

Met Office

Meteorological Office

METHANE

Major emergency - Exact location - Type of emergency - Hazards - Access and egress - Number and type of casualties - Emergency services present and required. Mnemonic used by Ambulance Service in incident assessment (see also CHALET)

METHANE

Major emergency - Exact location - Type of emergency - Hazards - Access and egress - Number and type of casualties - Emergency services present and required (see also CHALET)

MMT

Mobile Medical Team

MoD

Ministry of Defence

MoU

Memorandum of Understanding

MPS

Metropolitan Police Service

MRC

Mountain Rescue Council

MRCC

Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre

MRSC

Maritime Rescue Sub Centre

Mutual aid

An agreement between Category 1 and 2 responders and other organisations not covered by the Act, within the same sector or across sectors and across boundaries, to provide assistance with additional resource during an emergency, which may overwhelm the resources of an individual organisation.