Definition of emergency

The Act’s concern is how to deal with the consequences of emergencies, which it defines as events or situations that threaten serious damage to:

• human welfare. For example, loss of life, injury, illness or homelessness; disruption to food, money or energy supplies; disruption to communication systems, transport systems or health services
• the environment. For example, contamination of land, water or air with biological, chemical or radioactive matter or the destruction of animal or plant life
• the security of the UK. For example, acts of war or terrorism

There is no further definition of serious damage in the Act, however, Category 1 responders shall apply their duties if an emergency would be likely seriously to obstruct a responder in the performance of its functions, or it is likely that the responder would consider it necessary or desirable to take action to prevent the emergency, to reduce, control or mitigate its effects or otherwise in connection with it, and the responder would be unable to take that action without changing the deployment of resources or acquiring additional resources. See Section 2 (1) (2) of the Act.

An emergency inside or outwith the UK is covered by the Act and the Regulations, provided it has consequences in the UK.