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Isle Of Wight MP Extolls Virtues Of Joint Emergency Service Officers For Isle Of Wight

Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely says he is looking at joint funding for local emergency services in a move to improve efficiency.

He said:

“There is a model operating in Cornwall where they have joint-funded emergency service officers delivering both emergency and preventative policing, healthcare and fire services.

“These officers are able to solve community issues in more remote local communities whilst reducing demand on individual emergency services.

“For example, these roles assist elderly residents who have suffered a fall which otherwise would require an ambulance response and they help tackle antisocial behaviour which has not escalated to an emergency.

“I think a similar approach could work on the Isle of Wight.”


In Cornwall, the official responsibilities of the Tri-Service Safety Officers, or TSSO’s, include emergency fire response; emergency medical response; addressing health inequalities; prevention of anti-social behaviour; safeguarding; youth intervention; community engagement and problem solving; early intervention and prevention; multi-agency and partnership working; raizer chairs (for lifting patients after a fall); and mental health first aid.

Mr Seely has written to Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, with a suggestion that the Isle of Wight adopts a similar model.

The TSSO model was highlighted by Steve Double, Member of Parliament for St Austell, in Parliament earlier this year with the Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire, Chris Philp, describing the TSSOs as “a shining example” of how police, ambulance and fire services can better work together to provide a response.

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