Cornwall’s blue light family has come together to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Tri-Service Safety Officer (TSSO) scheme.
The Tri-Service Safety programme is a collaboration between Devon and Cornwall Police (DCP), Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS), South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) and Cornwall Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Team. TSSOs help protect Cornish communities and respond to emergency incidents.
The High Sheriff of Cornwall, Sam Galsworthy, hosted an event to celebrate the anniversary and the passing out of five new tri-service safety officers on November 29. First piloted with just one officer in 2014, the innovative model has proven a huge success.
There are now 15 TSSOs working in communities across the county, and one in Devon.
TSSOs play an important role identifying risk and preventing harm to people in their communities, particularly those who are vulnerable. A significant part of the job involves signposting people to the relevant agencies. This early intervention helps to reduce demand on other front-line services.
The officers, who wear grey uniforms while on duty, can also respond to 999 emergency calls as a firefighter on behalf of Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS), and a community first responder on behalf of the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT). They also deal with non-immediate Devon and Cornwall Police community safety matters and work alongside Cornwall Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Team to manage issues within the communities they serve.
Antony Bartlett, Assistant Chief Fire Officer at Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, said:
“Our Tri-Service Safety Officer programme shows how important it is for us to work with our partners across our blue light family to provide a service that works for Cornwall. We are very proud of what we have achieved here and of all our TSSOs who play such an important role in helping to keep their communities safe.”
Ben Deer, Chief Superintendent Devon and Cornwall Police and head of Cornwall and the IOS, said:
“The joint service approach Tri-Service Safety Officers offer demonstrates how effective collaboration can deliver positive outcomes in our community. They are an invaluable resource, complimenting front line staff in our communities in Cornwall through their intervention, prevention and operational response duties. I am delighted to see the program continue to grow and reach this milestone.”
Charlotte Hicks, Volunteering and Community Services Officer for South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust (SWASFT) Cornwall, said:
“It is great to see the success the Tri-Service Safety Officer programme has had over the last decade, we feel extremely proud. This longevity shows the importance of this scheme and how working together can positively impact our communities.
"Whilst we can easily recognise the difference the team have made when attending emergency calls, it is impossible to really understand how profound the effect has been through their prevention work. Avoidance of injury or instances will always be the best remedy by far!
“I want to say thank you to all our hard-working colleagues across Cornwall.”
Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said:
“Tri Service Safety Officers are a fabulous example of innovation and collaboration. If we want to prevent harm and keep people healthy then working together between organisations in this way is a neat solution.
“I have been so impressed with the way leaders in police, NHS and fire have worked together on this project for the past decade and the calibre and enthusiasm of the individuals who have passed out as TSSOs.
“Because the role is relatively new, it can take a while for communities to understand the benefits they bring, but once they have met the officers the reception from communities who have benefitted from a TSSO has been amazing.
“I’d like to see TSSOs deployed around Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and support significant expansion of the role.”
Councillor Martyn Alvey, who is chair of the Tri Service Strategic Governance Board and the portfolio holder responsible for Public Protection at Cornwall Council, said:
“This scheme was a first not just for Cornwall but nationally and now other services from across the country are now talking to us and trying to learn how they can replicate what has proven to be an incredibly successful model.
“I’d like to thank all of tri-service safety officers for the work they do in keeping Cornish communities safe and supporting our emergency services.”