A new agreement has been reached with Hertfordshire Constabulary to keep police and the public in the county safe around high voltage electrical equipment at emergency incidents.
Electricity company, UK Power Networks, which distributes electricity across London, the South East and East of England, created a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which sets out procedures and responsibilities for incidents involving electricity, to ensure safe working areas.
UK Power Networks recently reached a similar agreement with London Fire Brigade (LFB), who are now working together to quickly make safe any electrical equipment which could pose a hazard, so that emergency services can carry out work without delay.
“This will make staff attending such incidents from both organisations safer and will also assist in restoring essential power supplies.”
Kai Patel, Head of Health and Safety at UK Power Networks, comments: “The safety of members of the public and those responding to emergency situations involving our electrical assets is priority for us.
“The Emergency Services have recognised the potentially lifesaving value of the MoU which shares dedicated contact numbers and establishes safe working protocols for interaction with our cables, overhead lines and equipment.
“The MoU helps ensure electrical assets can be made safe and the emergency services’ work can be carried out without delay. It shows the importance of effective communication and co-ordination, built on an understanding of everyone’s respective roles around an incident.”
Superintendent Ken Townsend, Head of Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Force Communications Room, says: “We take every opportunity to protect our colleagues and the public from harm and the MoU does just that by keeping emergency crews and the public safe near high voltage electrical equipment.”
