Emergency services worked together to ensure public safety after Hemel Hempstead roof collapse

The caller feared the collapse last month was the result of an explosion
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Police and their emergency services colleagues recently worked together to successfully deal with a roof collapse in Hemel Hempstead.

At 12.31pm on Wednesday, June 23, the police control room received a 999 call reporting that a house roof had collapsed in Alexandra Road.

The caller feared the collapse was the result of an explosion.

The roof of the property collapsed on June 23The roof of the property collapsed on June 23
The roof of the property collapsed on June 23

Officers immediately attended the scene along with the ambulance and fire and rescue services.

Upon arrival, an assessment of the scene was carried out by the fire and rescue service.

Police then began the process of road closures and evacuation of all properties within a 100 metre radius.

The house was empty at the time and so there were no casualties either within the property or outside of it.

Emergency services work together to ensure public safety after Hemel Hempstead roof collapseEmergency services work together to ensure public safety after Hemel Hempstead roof collapse
Emergency services work together to ensure public safety after Hemel Hempstead roof collapse

Initial investigation from the fire and rescue service established that the roof collapse was the result of a structural failure rather than any form of explosion.

Dacorum Chief Inspector Craig Flint, said: “This was a very serious incident that required excellent coordination between all three emergency services.

"Police, fire and ambulance all worked successfully to minimise disruption and ensure public safety.

“The successful response to the emergency was aided by the use of JESIP principles, which help emergency services to work together efficiently at major incidents.

Emergency services worked successfully to minimise disruption and ensure public safetyEmergency services worked successfully to minimise disruption and ensure public safety
Emergency services worked successfully to minimise disruption and ensure public safety

"In this incident, the fire and rescue service took initial command of the incident, supported by police and with the ambulance service on standby in case any casualties were found in the rubble.

"Each emergency service had an incident commander and these would meet every thirty minutes to ensure the smooth running of our response.

“The fire and rescue service deployed the use of a drone to gather a full assessment of the damage to the house and neighbouring properties.

"Following a thorough risk assessment and handover, our officers then took command of the incident which included securing the property and working with Dacorum Borough Council to house affected residents.

“The response from all three emergency services is a great example of how first responders can work together quickly to keep the public safe during major incidents and I hope that this instils confidence in the public.”

Gus Cuthbert, Assistant Chief Fire Officer for Hertfordshire County Council said: “This incident is just one example of the many ways in which the emergency services work together to respond to emergencies more effectively, from training together to collaborating on specialist equipment such as the drone that was used to great effect.”