It is just over 10 years since a determined collaboration between police, fire, and health services to improve early intervention, prevention and operational response led to the creation of pioneering new responders called Tri-Service Safety Officers (TSSOs). 

They are making an absolute real difference to people’s lives within the communities they serve. Their unique role involves working with Devon & Cornwall Police, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS), South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) and Cornwall Council’s antisocial behaviour team, to help protect communities and respond to emergency incidents. 

It began as a pilot in Hayle, Cornwall, in 2014, with TSSO Andrew Hitchens who has since helped train the new officers. There are now 15 full-time TSSOs in Cornwall who respond to 999 emergency calls as a firefighter on behalf of CFRS, and a Community First Responder on behalf of SWASFT.  

They also help support communities and address issues like antisocial behaviour and crime prevention. Having officers who can respond to urgent and non-urgent incidents from a multi-agency perspective has proved to be so successful in Cornwall that a pivotal next step has been extending the scheme into Devon with the community of Holsworthy already seeing the benefits of being home to the county’s first dedicated TSSO. 

The creation and continuation of TSSOs has been made possible through my Office of the Police Crime Commissioner (OPCC) funding, jointly with CFRS, SWASFT and additional funding from the local NHS.  

My office recently hosted a celebratory launch event to officially welcome new Holsworthy TSSO Chloe Townsend to her role and acknowledge the incredible work of all the TSSOs in Cornwall who also attended, along with representatives from the emergency services, local authorities and members of the community. 

Improving public safety, reducing risks and early intervention in hard-to-reach communities is an issue that can only be dealt with collaboratively. TSSOs are proof that different services and organisations coming together to bring about change can significantly improve outcomes for people. 

Chloe, who brings with her an incredible skill set having previously worked as a paramedic and on-call firefighter, was among the first emergency services at the scene of an incident where an individual had fallen into a lorry full of grain.  

Luckily, she had been in the local area so was able to quickly assist the individual due to her vast multi-layered training. Chloe also carries out vital preventative, awareness and wellbeing work with vulnerable members of the community from hoarders to those requiring fire safety intervention. 

Recently she attended the home of an elderly woman with dementia for a pre-booked home safety visit. However, when she arrived, she discovered the woman had suffered a fall so was able quickly switch into the ambulance response side of her role and assess her and make her comfortable until an ambulance arrived. 

These two examples alone demonstrate the importance of TSSOs are why we are so lucky to be able to call upon them in Cornwall and Holsworthy. 

I am determined to collectively find a way to introduce more TSSOs across Devon and also expand them into the Isles of Scilly. A greater hope is that this innovative model created in Cornwall will also be replicated across the UK to benefit as many people as possible. 

We are the only area that delivers this innovation for our residents, combining a high level of professionalism and skills across three agencies – and it is a great example of taxpayers’ money spent wisely and well.