ETHANE

This article is about the emergency service protocol. For the chemical compound, see Ethane.

ETHANE is a mnemonic indicating a protocol used by emergency services to report situations which they may be faced with, especially as it relates to major incidents, where is may be used as part of their emergency action principles.

ETHANE dictates the form in which the receiving control station should get information from the first person or officer on scene. In some jurisdictions, the alternative CHALET may be used.

Definition and process

ETHANE stands for:

• Exact location: The precise location of the incident
• Type: The nature of the incident, including how many vehicles, buildings and so on are involved
• Hazards: Both present and potential
• Access: Best route for emergency services to access the site, or obstructions and bottlenecks to avoid
• Numbers: Numbers of casualties, dead and uninjured on scene
• Emergency services: Which services are already on scene, and which others are required

In the event of this being used for a major incident, the reporting first on scene officer would not usually get involved with the rescue work, but act as a co-ordinator on scene for arriving emergency vehicles. This may be achieved by the vehicle being used by the first on scene should leave its lightbar running, whilst all others should turn theirs off on arrival, to make identifying the incident officer easier.