A SIGNIFICANT milestone in community safety and partnership working has been marked with Devon’s first Tri-Service Safety Officer (TSSO) officially launched in Holsworthy.

Members of the community joined representatives from Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, the NHS and local authorities to celebrate the occasion.

The TSSO role, unique to Devon and Cornwall, is a pioneering collaboration between police, fire and health services, designed to enhance early intervention, prevention and support for vulnerable individuals.

TSSOs respond to issues from a multi-agency perspective. Whether fitting smoke alarms during police welfare checks, making health referrals, or linking residents with local support services, TSSOs offer a smarter, more joined-up way to keep people safe. They are also trained retained firefighters and community responders for the ambulance service.

Alison Hernandez, police and crime commissioner praised the expansion of the role into Devon, said: “I’m delighted to see the Tri-Service Safety Officer role now established in Holsworthy. This is a forward-thinking, community-focused solution that’s proven to work. By combining the expertise of police, fire, and health, TSSOs are so much more than the sum of their parts, making a real difference on the ground – keeping people safe, supporting the vulnerable, and improving lives.”

Holsworthy’s new TSSO is 28-year-old paramedic and on-call firefighter Chloe Townsend. She is already proving to be an essential part of the local community by not just helping out during emergency incidents but also carrying out vital preventative, awareness and wellbeing work with vulnerable people.

She said: “In my previous roles, I could only deal with one element according to the service I was with - but now I can combine all three areas of police, fire, and health to support individuals. It is satisfying because you can follow through their journey from start to finish with interventions and monitoring their progress.”

Chloe and her fellow colleagues were bestowed high praise at the launch event by inspector and TSSO project lead Miles Topham of Devon and Cornwall Police.

He said: “This project has been going on for just over 10 years in Cornwall where it has proven its worth and is making a significant difference. It is really exciting to welcome Chloe into Devon and hopefully TSSOs will expand further into Devon as well as regionally and nationally.”

Former High Sheriff of Cornwall Sam Galsworthy attended the launch to present the generous and unique donation of a Civil War breastplate from his home that has been turned into a trophy which will be awarded annually to the TSSO of the Year.

He said: “I was completely overwhelmed when I heard how the TSSOs came to be and the role they play. It is my privilege to present this award to all three services in recognition of the TSSOs.”

The launch in Holsworthy, which was attended by guests including the High Sheriff of Devon and pupils from Holsworthy Church of England Primary School, signals a new chapter in public safety and collaboration for Devon, setting the stage for future growth of this innovative and impactful role.