ICAB’s emergency response for displaced international students

In August 2020, during the late summer bank holiday at the height of the pandemic, an arson attack occurred at a city centre student accommodation high-rise block. The fire necessitated the evacuation of over 140 international students, leaving them without immediate housing. While none were physically harmed, the situation presented significant challenges, particularly as many students were unfamiliar with the area and had limited English proficiency. It was an extremely worrying for them, being away from home and having no family members close by to assist them.

Upon receiving instructions from the instructing principal, ICAB’s out-of-hours team initiated its structured tried and tested three-stage Major Incident Plan:

Early Coordination – Immediate contact was made with accommodation partners to source suitable temporary housing.

Resident Communication – A systematic approach ensured all affected students were kept informed throughout the process.

Tracking System – A real-time tracker was implemented to monitor accommodation allocations and maintain clear communication across the response team.

A key challenge was the language barrier, compounded by the anxiety and uncertainty experienced by the displaced students. To address this, ICAB utilised translation software and engaged staff members with relevant language skills to facilitate clear communication.

Within hours, temporary accommodation was secured across three local hotels, and all displaced students were successfully re-housed, allowing them to continue their studies while their original accommodation was assessed and repaired.

ICAB is adept at managing emergency situations effectively, ensuring that vulnerable residents receive prompt and appropriate support, and the structured response framework enabled clear coordination, minimised disruption, and provided reassurance to those affected in their time of need.