Cornwall’s blue light family has welcomed seven new tri-service safety officers (TSSOs), who will soon be helping to protect Cornish communities and responding to emergency incidents.
The passing out ceremony for the officers
The TSSO role is unique to Cornwall. First piloted with just one officer in 2014, the model has proven a huge success. With the addition of the seven recruits, there will now be 13 TSSOs working in communities across the county.
The officers, who wear grey uniforms while on duty, 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.
For the first time, TSSOs will be based in Helston, Callington and Torpoint. The remaining officers are stationed in Bude, Liskeard, Looe/Polruan, Lostwithiel, Fowey, St Dennis, Perranporth, Hayle, St Ives and St Just.
A formal passing out ceremony was held to welcome the new officers to the service, which is jointly funded by CFRS, SWASFT, and Devon and Cornwall Police.
