Aid distribution point
A place where people can collect supplies during an emergency, such as food or drinking water.
Local organisers may use a different name. Check local advice for collection points and opening times.
Glossary
This glossary explains some terms used in Ready Together. It also includes the names of some organisations involved in preparedness and what they are responsible for.
Use it when you read the toolkit or make plans with your community.
The terms are in alphabetical order. Some names differ across the UK.
A
C
Community
People who share a place, interest or part of their identity. Your community could be your neighbourhood, a faith community or people with a shared interest.
Community foundation
A charity that brings together donations to support people and groups in a particular area. It gives funding and other support to local charities and community groups.
Community group
People who come together in their community or share an interest. A group can be informal, such as neighbours helping each other, or have a formal structure.
Community hub
A place where people can meet, get information and find support. During an emergency, a hub may offer practical help. What it offers depends on local plans and the space available.
A community hub is not automatically an official emergency rest centre.
Community resilience
Community resilience is about what people can do for themselves and how well they work together. It also includes getting the support they need when everyday services are under pressure.
Community Risk Register (CRR)
England, Scotland and Wales
A Community Risk Register describes the main emergencies that could affect an area. It helps you understand local risks and plan for them.
In England and Wales, Local Resilience Forums (LRFs) publish these registers. In Scotland, Regional Resilience Partnerships publish them.
Northern Ireland has a separate Civil Contingencies Risk Register. Ask your council where to find public information about local risks.
Customer Care Register
Northern Ireland only
A list that helps energy or water companies in Northern Ireland give free additional support to customers who need it. Support varies between companies and depends on your needs.
Ask your company about its register and how to join. In England, Scotland and Wales, look for a Priority Services Register (PSR).
E
Emergency Preparedness Group (EPG)
Northern Ireland only
An Emergency Preparedness Group brings organisations together to plan for emergencies in Northern Ireland. Members work together so they are ready to respond.
England and Wales have Local Resilience Forums (LRFs). Scotland has Regional and Local Resilience Partnerships.
Emergency rest centre
A place that offers temporary shelter and practical support to people who have had to leave their homes during an emergency. Councils usually arrange these centres.
You may also hear the name rest centre. Follow local emergency advice about which centre to use.
Evacuation
Moving people away from danger to a safer place. This may mean leaving a building or a wider area. Follow instructions from the emergency services about where to go.
F
First responder
Someone who responds in the early stages of an emergency. People may use this phrase for emergency workers or people nearby who help first.
The phrase alone does not mean someone has an official role or specialist training.
If you are offering help in an emergency, only help in ways that are safe for you and others.
H
Humanitarian Assistance Centre
A place where people affected by an emergency can get information, advice and support from several organisations. It can offer help over a longer period. Support may be in person or online.
A rest centre provides temporary shelter. A Humanitarian Assistance Centre focuses on helping people get the support they need.
L
Local Resilience Forum (LRF)
England and Wales
A Local Resilience Forum (LRF) brings organisations together to plan for emergencies in England and Wales. Members include councils, emergency services and health services. They assess local risks and agree how to work together.
Scotland has Regional and Local Resilience Partnerships. Northern Ireland has Emergency Preparedness Groups.
Local Resilience Partnership (LRP)
Scotland only
A Local Resilience Partnership (LRP) brings organisations together to plan for emergencies in a local area of Scotland. It helps them work together during emergencies and recovery.
Local partnerships work within Scotland’s wider Regional Resilience Partnerships.
M
Misinformation, Disinformation and Malinformation (MDM)
False and misleading information can create extra problems in an emergency.
Misinformation: False information that someone shares without meaning to mislead people. It can still cause harm.
Disinformation: False or altered information that someone creates or shares on purpose to mislead people.
Malinformation: True or partly true information that someone uses on purpose to mislead people. For example, they may leave out key facts to change its meaning.
Always check the full story and its source before sharing it.
P
Priority Services Register (PSR)
England, Scotland and Wales
A Priority Services Register (PSR) helps energy or water companies give additional support to customers who need it. These free registers operate in England, Scotland and Wales. Support can include help during a power cut or a break in your water supply.
Ask your energy and water companies what support they offer and how to join. Northern Ireland uses Customer Care Registers.
R
Regional Resilience Partnership (RRP)
Scotland only
A Regional Resilience Partnership (RRP) brings organisations together across a region of Scotland to prepare for emergencies. Members include councils, emergency services and health services.
Local Resilience Partnerships support this work in smaller areas.
Residents’ association
A group of people who work together on issues affecting the area where they live. They may speak up for residents or organise local activities and improvements.
Responder
A person who responds to an incident or supports the response. An incident is an event that needs a response, such as a fire or flood.
Responders may help at the scene or work elsewhere to support the response.
Responder organisation
An official organisation or other legally recognised body that responds to an incident or supports the response. An incident is an event that needs a response.
This could be an ambulance service, a council or a charity helping with the response.
S
Skills audit
A way to find out what skills people in your group have and how they could help. For example, someone may have first aid training or speak another language. Ask people what they feel able and willing to do.
W
Welfare check
Contact with someone to check they are safe and find out whether they need help. This might be a visit or a phone call.
Community volunteers can arrange checks with the person’s agreement. Emergency services and other support organisations may also carry out checks.
Sources
- JESIP terminology (opens in a new tab)
- UK emergency partnerships (opens in a new tab)
- Scottish partnerships (opens in a new tab)
- Northern Ireland risk register (opens in a new tab)
- Rest and assistance centres (opens in a new tab)
- Energy Priority Services Registers (opens in a new tab)
- Scottish Water register (opens in a new tab)
- Northern Ireland Customer Care Registers (opens in a new tab)
- Information terminology (opens in a new tab)
- Community foundations (opens in a new tab)