MP Bob Seely says the Isle of Wight could replicate the success of a model operating in Cornwall which would improve partnership working between the 3 blue light services on the Isle of Wight. It’s said that such a model would ensure every Islander who needs support receives the most efficient and appropriate response, at a time when pressure is mounting on the Island’s emergency services. Bob Seely has 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. 
In his letter he has said:
“I know that the Isle of Wight Council, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority, and the Isle of Wight NHS Trust have expressed aspirations to increase joint working between ‘blue light’ services. “As you may be aware, the Policing and Crime Act 2017 also places a duty on Police Forces, Ambulance Services and Fire and Rescue Services to keep collaboration services under review. “I ask if you would consider working with other blue light services on the Island to introduce tri-service officers? Would the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary consider leading the introduction of joint-funded TSSOs on the Isle of Wight?”
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.
The dynamic duo are at it again .. here to save the island with any news that will get them re elected.. islanders please see through this electioneering stunt .. designed to fool ..
An electioneering what ?
Excuse to cut services more.
Its often said that the police are used as social workers, and rhat it wastes a lot of police man hours, maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have a fourth service. (Assuming thats what Bob Seeley is proposing)
Bob is just proposing a closer working arrangement between the three, but we do need a fourth service. This would provide rapid response to mental health call-outs and the self-inflicted drugs and alcohol calls that currently bog down our ambulance teams.
No, he’s not suggesting a closer working relationship between the three, he is suggesting having individuals who are FirefightingParaConstables who can also attend Mental Ill-Health incidents.
One wonders what their vehicle will look like, maybe a Transformer or something from Thunderbirds?
All this means is that, for every one of these monstrosities, there will be other emergency workers un-employed, therefore a financial saving..
But without the training or expertise, at a time when funding for the professionally qualified staff is already on the floor. What could possibly go wrong when they then have to wait for the full expertise of the named services to attend calls outside their remit?
Bob is a tory, and they’re pushing towards private healthcare, probably an american system in which the fire department is merged with the ambulance service, and has emergency medical technicians doubling as firefighters.
Just another way to reduce the workforce,
they can’t cope now.
Or just fund blue services better with our highest tax burden since WW2, Tories.
Pop up teapots at it again. Getting bored of seeing IE bigging him up!
You going mr…save the hot air for a balloon not those you pay your wages
My daughter is a police officer on the mainland The police there are already extremely, understaffed but have to act as ambulances and social care workers because those sectors too are so understaffed. This takes the police away from their own work then the usual complaints are raised about them being ‘not bothered,’ taking ages to respond etc.
My daughter has worked 19 hour shifts in the past only grabbing a coffee on the go of she’s lucky.
All the blue light sectors should be sufficiently staffed and not be expected to rely on each others.
Quite agree, Blue light is an emergency service need and needs to be funded accordingly not to be seen as a government savings to waste in other areas such as the millions being given to France and other countries with no or little benefit to this country.
Tri-Service Safety Officers at a cost of £48,000 each.
jack of all trades, master of none
Seriously??? Non qualified staff (or are they expecting a 2 year qualification for each subject to be condensed into an online pass certificate) on £48k? Might get more than a few overworked, underpaid paramedics, FFs and coppers miffed.
What happened to First Responders?, thought they were fire/Ambulance and accident? Used to have red vans,a number around the Island.
Its dumb and dumber!
Words fail me, Seeley is clearly forgetting the large expanse of water between us and the mainland, does he not know that we are an Island? How can “emergency blue light services” involving using mainland help us on the Island especially as the travel time is 1 hour from mainland and only then if the service is running. Just another Tory attempt at diminishing the services – paid by tax payers – even more to the Island and across the country in other counties’. When will people realise they are trying to kill off the NHS, and limit police and fire services.
You would think New Fire and Ambulance stations could be built sharing the cost of the facilities? Or renting space from fire stations not in use due to man power shortages.
It’s got to be better than all Ambulances coming out of Newport and it’s not even the biggest town.
West wight and Ventor must have terrible response times.
Ahhh must be general election time… Half Sausage getting as much front page publicity as he can. Can’t fool me, or most of the Island residents!
Bloody stupid idea, only seely and the pie queen would think this is ever will work. Just another way to save money and offer less safety for us all. Dual photo op for 2 losers in the next local election and general election.
Pie queen lol i like it haha
Niw we really fo know who ate sll the pies
Jeez! Now try that in English?
How about handing contr of dispatch to all emergency services back to Th Island “Seldom seen” who know how rural many parts of The Island are and how to get to area’s rather than faceless operators Hampshire who know nothing about The Island just what “sat nav says”! Save time and money!
Well here we go…suddenly Bob is everywhere trying to look like he is an MP looking after his community.
MUST BE ELECTION TIME…were not stupid, it looks obvious what he’s doing and just not even believing a word of it.
Given the police are not even competent at doing their own jobs i would hate to put my life in their hands, combining skills of Fire and Ambulance staff would be a great idea as at least they are highly skilled already.
It is true that this system operates in Cornwall. However, why is that a reason to adopt it on the Isle of Wight. We know what they do in Cornwall but where is the evidence that is achieves better outcomes, that the public want this or that it is more efficient. Does he simply mean it saves money? I have the utmost respect for paramedics and police officers but if my house was on fire I would want a firefighter to turn up. These are specialist jobs but Seely wants to take a Jack of all Trades approach. Just another pre-election gimmick.
The Isle of Wight, police fire ambulance have all worked and dovetailed together for years . Don’t try and reinvent the wheel it’s already been done, the least interference from people who know naff all of how to deal with an emergence , do something useful and make a cup of tea
I will be so much happier when the general election is over. That means I won’t be seeing this mans face again for a few years at the very least.
Bob the nob strikes again!! Time to vote out this muppet with his half sausage ideas, as another article on here shows it will be the blind leading the blind in to more trouble!!!