Essex twin brothers proudly serving on the frontline

Steve and Dave Gardiner are proudly serving their community in Essex's ambulance service and police force – but began their public service together as volunteers 24 years ago.

Steve is a paramedic based in Rayleigh, and began his career with the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) 14 years ago as an Emergency Care Assistant. He progressed through the ranks to become an ambulance technician, and then a qualified paramedic almost five years ago.

Dave is currently an Inspector with Essex Police, based in Boreham. He joined the force 15 years ago, in Southend’s neighbourhood policing team. He now works in the Operational Planning division, and is also a hostage and crisis negotiator.

Prior to the twins joining the emergency services full-time, they were both volunteer first responders for EEAST. They have also volunteered for St John Ambulance for the past 24 years. Community First Responders (CFRs) are volunteers who are trained by the ambulance service to help respond to certain medical emergencies in the area where they live or work, such as cardiac arrests or falls.

Steve said: "Working in the ambulance service is incredibly rewarding, and being able to share that journey with my twin brother makes it even more special. From volunteering together to now serving in different branches of the emergency services, it’s been a privilege to help the people of Essex side by side."

Dave said: "Being part of Essex Police has given me the opportunity to make a real difference, especially through my work in neighbourhood policing and crisis negotiation. Steve and I have always shared a commitment to helping others, and Emergency Services Day is a great chance to celebrate the teamwork and dedication across all services, which we experience every day."

Dave and Steve's similarity has bewildered people when they have responded to the same incidents. The brothers remember one occasion in Southend when a police helicopter pilot was left baffled after talking to Dave, and then walking over to the ambulance crew to be met by Steve. Steve explained that although he might look and sound like the police officer the pilot was just talking to, they are in fact two different people.

Every year on 9 September, emergency services across the UK come together on Emergency Services Day (otherwise known as 999 Day) to celebrate the extraordinary work they do each day, and to remember those who have died in the line of duty.

Photo caption: Inspector Dave Gardiner (left) and paramedic Steve Gardiner at Rayleigh ambulance station.