What is a METHANE report?
METHANE is a short, fixed format for telling control and other services what is happening at a major incident. Everyone gets the same facts, in the same order, so nothing is missed.
This guide is general information for trained responders. Follow your own service's protocols and local rules, which may differ.
What the letters mean
- M: Major incident. Declared, or on standby.
- E: Exact location. Address, GPS or a landmark, and the way in.
- T: Type of incident. Bus crash, building collapse, fire, chemical spill.
- H: Hazards. Present and possible: fuel, power lines, crowds, weather.
- A: Access. Best routes in and out, and where vehicles should wait.
- N: Number of casualties. How many, and how serious (P1, P2, P3, dead).
- E: Emergency services. Who is on scene and who else is needed.
An example
"Major incident declared. Corner of Main Road and Station Street, next to the taxi rank, enter from Main Road. Minibus taxi and truck collision. Fuel leak, traffic still moving on the north side. Access from Main Road southbound, vehicles to wait in the petrol station forecourt. About 14 casualties: 2 P1, 4 P2, 8 P3, no dead so far. Two ambulances on scene, police on scene. Need four more ambulances and fire for the fuel leak."
When to send it
The first crew on scene sends the first METHANE as soon as they can, even if it is rough. Send an update when the numbers change, when hazards change, or at set times agreed with control. Number each report so everyone knows which one is the latest.
Tips
- Short is better than complete. You can send another one.
- Say what you do not know yet, so no one guesses.
- Keep the casualty numbers in line with the triage tags, not a head count from a distance.
Run this on a phone, not on paper
Incident Commander gives every responder the same picture: triage, patients, transport, METHANE reports, roles and a live scene map. It works without signal.