Schools and learning
Learning for all ages on hertsdirect.org
C - Emergencies - HPS Property Matters
Responding to a Critical Incident
A critical incident will be one involving very serious injury, loss of life, or in the event of a premises related incident, an event likely to cause the closure of the school. Examples of critical incidents could include the following:
People Related Incidents:
Bomb threat
Suspect package
Containment/shelter of students within the school
Property Related Incidents:
Flooding
Heating failure
Gas leak
Carbon monoxide leakage
Chemical/toxic/hazardous material spillage
Fire
Lightning strikes
Severe weather
Utility failure
It is intended that in an emergency a school only need make a single phone call.
As a result of that phone call all appropriate individuals and units will then be contacted.
Notification of a CRITICAL INCIDENT
In the event of a critical incident in a Hertfordshire school, phone one of the following numbers for support:
Monday - Friday 08.30 - 17.30 01438 737261
Saturday 09.00 - 16.00 01438 737261
(This number will access the Hertfordshire Customer Service Centre)
At all other times 0800 547547
(This will access the Mouchel Property Service national call centre). It is important to note that this service is not set up specifically/solely for Hertfordshire and therefore the person taking the call will not be familiar with procedures in Hertfordshire.
It is essential that you clearly state that ''THIS IS A CRITICAL INCIDENT AND REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ACTION.''
Callers to the above numbers should be prepared to provide the following information, if possible:
1. That you are calling about a school in Hertfordshire
2. The name and address of the school, including the town and street
3. Your name and job title
4. Your phone number or that of another available contact
5. That it is a ''CRITICAL INCIDENT'' and the nature of the incident.
If phoning from abroad add the country code, then the UK code 44. Omit the first 0 of the local code. For example, if phoning from Paris, dial 00 44 800 547547.
Schools without a ''Schools Direct'' Arrangement
If schools do not have a Schools Direct arrangement with Mouchel, they should have set in place alternative property emergency arrangements. If, however, they have not, or their alternative arrangements fail, then they may still avail themselves of the Mouchel services but will be required to agree to pay the annual fee (or half annual fee if more than 6 months through the financial year) and enter into an agreement for the remainder of the financial year. Because Mouchel and their supply chain have agreed to act in good faith to deliver the service, CSF have agreed to insist upon schools honouring this agreement.
Further information and advice is given in the Critical Incident Recovery Plan for Schools which can be accessed on the link on the right hand side of this page.
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