All-action Andrew Hichens has become the first person in the UK to be a fireman, policeman and paramedic rolled into one.
The 28 year-old is fully trained and equipped to be a first responder to all emergency calls – whether it is a crime, a fire or an accident.
He has just started his unique role in a new hub in his home town of Hayle, Cornwall, which brings together the three emergency services.
Andrew applied for the unique role after spending eight years working as a firefighter in nearby Camborne.
He had training as an emergency first responder for South Western Ambulance Service and has also done the full PCSO course with Devon and Cornwall Police.
Andrew said: “It’s very new; it’s going to be a challenge. It is an exciting time for Hayle and myself.
“Day to day my role as tri service officer will centre on Police Presence.
“I’ll be out in the neighbourhood with Devon and Cornwall Police and doing police duties that include response work.
“I will have a pager for fire and for South Western Ambulance which I will respond to in the Hayle area.
“I will also be going into schools to speak to children about cybercrimes that happen in terms of social media, bullying, and other issues that they face.
“I can also deliver fire safety messages in schools, talk about home properties and what to do in those events.”
Andrew, who has two young sons, this week finished the training programme for the role he started in November last year.
He added: “I had the full police community support office (PCSO) training course, youth intervention and with some Western Ambulance as an emergency responder.
“With all three services I have had training in community engagement and in presentation.
“It is something that we are very keen on developing and making it a strong start and I’ll hit the ground running
“There’s not a lot of spare time, having a fianc?e and two little boys, but it is important. They are very understanding. We realised early on this is a lifestyle choice.”
Neil Le Chevalier, director of operations for South Western Ambulance Service, said: “We are the first in the country to bring all three services into one building and the benefits are immense.
“Particularly for the local community of Hayle where we have a dedicated person able to respond on behalf of the three services.”
Paul Netherton, Devon and Cornwall assistant chief constable, said: “The tri-service officer is a groundbreaking idea being introduced into Cornwall.
“It brings together the skills and training of the three emergency services into one individual and means that we can provide a really effective first responder to any situation.
“This concept is very exciting and we are already thinking how we can expand this beyond Hayle.”
Assistant chief fire officer Phil Martin said: “Andrew will be a familiar face in the community and working together with his colleagues in one building means we will all benefit from his shared expertise from across the three services.”
