Major Incident
Introduction - Additional guidance

Criteria for testing major incident response arrangements

Appropriate criteria have been established to enable the successful completion of a test of the corporate procedures to be determined.

Real incidents may be used as alternatives to scenario tests providing performance is reviewed against these established criteria.

Major Incident Response Test and Review Criteria

Type of test	Content	Criteria for success	Carried out by:
Simple data verification	Administrative check of the local information contained in D/D emergency plans. Make amendments to the information as necessary.	The information for all D/D's is accurate and up to date	Relevant D/D staff
Detailed incident scenario	Planned scenario exercise with predetermined objectives. The scale of the exercise depends on the regulatory framework: it may include involvement of stakeholders. The exercise is reviewed and appropriate staff are informed of the results	Demonstration that staff are available to respond promptly and the communications network is operational. Evidence that staff make decisions in accordance with the Major Incident Response Policy and D/Ds emergency plans. The objectives set are achieved and performance standards met. Any lessons learned are built into the system to improve future performance	Exercise planned and conducted by D/DsReview of performance by D/D staff
Real incidents	A review of the response to the incident by the investigating team	The incident results in a response that puts into practice the major incident arrangements. Demonstration that staff are available to respond promptly and the communications network is operational. Evidence that staff made decisions in accordance with the Major Incident Response Policy and D/Ds emergency plans. Any lessons learned are built into the system to improve future performance	The inspector managing the investigation or a person delegated for this function
Corporate	A planned scenario exercise with the objective to test the corporate arrangements. The scenario involves more than one D/D	The arrangements to communicate between D/Ds and to a wider network up to the ministerial office are in place and operating to performance standards. Demonstration that staff are available to respond promptly and the communications network is operational. Evidence that staff make decisions in accordance with the Major Incident Response and Investigations PolicyThe objectives set are achieved. Any lessons learned are incorporated to improve future performance	Head of Operational Policy Support Division and Directors/Heads of D/Ds

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