Hertfordshire’s emergency services tested at the Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead

Exercise Frostbite saw responders from Hertfordshire’s fire and rescue, ambulance and police services, supported by partners, carry out a rescue exercise. Simulating a real-life incident, a section of scaffolding had collapsed, trapping and injuring multiple people.

Emergency services were tested as they worked together to make the area safe and help volunteer casualties in sub-zero temperatures on the Snow Centre slope.

Chief Fire Officer and Chair of the Hertfordshire Local Resilience Forum (HLRF) Alex Woodman said:

“As a Local Resilience Forum, our priority is to always be prepared for whatever challenges may arise. Bringing so many partners together for a live exercise in realistic extreme weather conditions has proved an invaluable opportunity to test and strengthen our collective response.

“We are extremely grateful to everyone at the Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead for their support in hosting this important training and helping to make it possible.

“Exercise Frostbite showcased the strength of our partnership working and the coordination we have across agencies from blue light services and beyond. This gives our communities real confidence that, whatever the conditions, we are ready and able to protect people, property and vital services across the county.”

Participants in this exercise included Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, the East of England Ambulance Service, Hertfordshire Constabulary, Hertfordshire County Council, Dacorum Borough Council, The British Red Cross, UK Disaster Victim Identification Team, and Hertfordshire colleagues from across the NHS. Scaffolding to mock-up the scene was also lent and constructed by Berkhamsted business Aaron Scaffolding.

Dave King, Resilience Manager at the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said:

“Training exercises such as Frostbite are hugely important for the emergency services, so that first responders have the skills and knowledge to deliver the best possible patient care in a real-life incident.

“By training alongside partners including the police, fire and other services, we can ensure we are ready to respond at all times and in all weathers. I want to thank everyone involved and taking part in this exercise.”

Inspector Andrew Mellor, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Operations and Intelligence Team, said:

“Our response officers can often be first on the scene at major incidents, so regular training ensures they feel best equipped to assess initial and emerging risk, share information efficiently and understand what our partner agencies need at the same time, all while protecting the public.

“We follow a national framework for interoperability, which is all about making sure emergency services work together to save lives and reduce harm.

“These exercises help us test our approach against that framework, as well as build strong professional relationships, and make sure our plans are effective at every stage—from the initial response right through to recovery.”

Martin Kirk, Head of Corporate Health Safety and Resilience at Dacorum Borough Council, said:

“We are pleased to support Exercise Frostbite at the Snow Centre and to work alongside our colleagues in the fire, ambulance and police services on this important training. Exercises like this are invaluable in helping us strengthen our joint response, making sure we are prepared to deal with any emergency that may face us in the future. By working together and in realistic environments, we can continue to protect and support our communities across the wider Hertfordshire area.”

Hertfordshire Local Resilience Forum (HLRF) is a partnership of over 60 organisations who plan and train together to provide the quickest and most effective response to incidents and emergencies. HLRF also works to inform Hertfordshire residents, businesses and organisations about the risks they face and what they can do to prepare for them.

These risks include extreme cold and hot weather, flooding, cyber attacks, utilities failure and disruption, flooding and terrorism. You can find out more about these and advice on how to prepare at: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/ready