Argocat

A low ground pressure, tracked off road vehicle designed to operate in remote and environmentally sensitive terrain, such as moorland and peatland, where standard fire appliances cannot safely access.

Back Burning

A controlled firefighting technique where fire is deliberately introduced under carefully managed conditions to remove vegetation (fuel) ahead of a wildfire, reducing its intensity when it reaches a control line.

Bellwin Scheme

A national government funding mechanism that allows local authorities, including Fire and Rescue Services, to apply for reimbursement of exceptional and unplanned costs incurred during major emergencies.

Business as Usual (BAU)

The routine delivery of emergency response and core services alongside a major incident response.

Command and Control

The framework through which incidents are managed, including decision making, coordination, communication and supervision across operational, tactical and strategic levels.

Control Line

A natural or man made feature, such as a road, track or firebreak, used to stop or limit the spread of fire.

Dynamic Cover Tool (DCT)

A decision support system used by Fire Control to manage and reposition emergency resources in real time to maintain effective countywide cover during periods of high or prolonged demand.

Ember Transfer

The spread of fire caused by burning embers being carried by wind ahead of the main fire front, igniting new fires beyond established control lines.

Fire Operations Group (FOG)

A coordinated multi-agency forum bringing together Fire and Rescue Services, landowners and environmental partners to support wildfire preparedness, prevention and response planning.

Fire Driven Weather

Localised atmospheric effects created by intense heat from a wildfire, including changes in wind direction or strength that can influence fire behaviour and escalation.

Fuel Continuity / Fuel Load

Fuel load refers to the quantity of burnable vegetation present. Fuel continuity describes how connected that vegetation is across the landscape, influencing how rapidly a fire can spread.

High Volume Pump (HVP)

A national resilience asset capable of delivering large volumes of water over long distances where conventional water supplies are insufficient.

Incident Command Unit (ICU)

A mobile command facility providing on scene management, communication and coordination functions during complex and prolonged incidents.

Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles (JESIP)

A national framework that sets out how emergency services and partners work together effectively during major incidents.

Local Resilience Forum (LRF)

A statutory multi-agency partnership responsible for coordinating emergency planning, response and recovery at a local level.

National Organisational Learning (NOL) / Joint Organisational Learning (JOL)

National systems for capturing, sharing and embedding learning from significant incidents across Fire and Rescue Services and partner organisations.

National Resilience

A UK wide framework providing specialist capabilities, coordination and support to local emergency services during large scale or high impact incidents.

Volunteer Firefighter

An individual who provides emergency response support on a voluntary basis, often alongside On-call roles, contributing significantly to community resilience and rural fire cover.

On-Call Firefighters

Firefighters who have a primary employment or are self employed and respond to emergencies when alerted, typically from their home or workplace. They provide critical emergency cover, particularly in rural and remote communities.

Day Crewed Duty Firefighter

A firefighter who provides emergency response during defined daytime hours from a fire station and responds to emergencies when alerted, from their home overnight. Day crewed duty arrangements support effective response in areas where risk and demand are higher during the day.

Wholetime Firefighter

A full time, salaried firefighter who works a shift based rota, providing 24 hour emergency response from a fire station. Wholetime firefighters form the core response capability in higher risk or higher demand areas, including major urban centres.

Outer Cordon

The wider controlled perimeter established around an incident to manage public safety, restrict access and support emergency operations.

Peat Fire / Subsurface Fire

A fire that burns below ground level within peat layers. These fires can smoulder for long periods, are difficult to detect and may reemerge beyond visible fire boundaries.

Strategic Coordinating Group (SCG)

A multi-agency group responsible for setting strategic direction, priorities and oversight during major or critical incidents.

Tactical Coordinating Group (TCG)

A multi-agency group responsible for coordinating tactical activity and translating strategic intent into operational plans.

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

Military munitions that failed to detonate as intended and remain hazardous. During wildfires, exposure to heat can trigger detonation, significantly increasing risk to responders.

Wildfire Tactical Advisor (WTA)

A specialist role providing independent, evidence based advice to incident commanders on wildfire behaviour, tactics and safety.

SMEAC Briefing

A structured operational briefing format used during wildfire incidents, covering Situation, Mission, Execution, Administration and Command, supporting clear and consistent decision making.