A pioneering scheme set up by a Hertfordshire Police Federation representative is helping the county’s emergency services build stronger relationships and improve how they work together.

The Swapping Hats initiative allows Hertfordshire Police officers and staff to shadow colleagues in the fire and ambulance services – and vice versa.

Since it was launched two years ago, more than 200 swaps have taken place with overwhelmingly positive feedback from those who have taken part.

Inspector Karen Hutchinson, who has developed the scheme, says it is creating stronger working relationships between the emergency services.

Fed rep Inspector Karen Hutchinson has set up the pioneering Swapping Hats initiative.

Karen said it is also helping to build a better understanding of the pressures colleagues in each of the blue light services face.

She said: “Often we think we know what our colleagues in the fire and ambulance services do, but the reality can be different.

“Spending a shift with them provides real insight, helps us understand their pressures, and the challenges they face.

“And it’s the same for them when they shadow us in the police.

“That insight improves how we work together when we meet at incidents when it really matters.”

Swapping Hats

Swapping Hats is being expanded to include bronze commanders and their equivalent ranks. The aim will be to share approaches to risk, scene management and decision-making. Force Incident Managers in the police control room are also set to join exchanges with fire and ambulance control rooms.

The scheme has come to the attention of JESIP, the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles. Its interoperability framework sets out a standard approach to multi-agency working.

Swapping Hats aims to encourage those JESIP principles. And JESIP, meanwhile, is recommending Swapping Hats for national practice on joint organisational learning.

And what began as a local idea is now getting attention in other forces, including the neighbouring forces of Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

Unsung Hero

Karen was even nominated as an Unsung Hero at the national Emergency Services Show at the NEC in Birmingham this week for turning the concept into a growing model of collaboration.

She said: “From such a small idea, it’s grown into something that’s having a lasting impact.

“The uptake and the feedback have been fantastic. Every participant has said they’d recommend it.

"I’m really proud of it," she added.

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