A firefighter from Falmouth will be travelling to America and France to investigate joined-up emergency services responses after being awarded a prestigious Churchill Fellowship.

Stuart Williams is one of only four people in Cornwall and Devon to win a fellowship which will see them receive grants totalling more than £25,000. The fellowships offer once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to travel the world and research cutting-edge solutions to important topical issues.

Asked why his topic is important to him, Stuart said: "As a UK firefighter, and with the potential inclusion of attending medical incidents within our role map, I feel that this is important but also should be carried out correctly with the appropriate training."

He is particularly excited at the prospect of visiting the New York fire department and Chicago as these are two of the leading fire departments that have implemented the Emergency Medical Response (EMR) in America.

As for what Stuart hopes to get from the Churchill Fellowship he says: "Learn how other fire services have adjusted and how they include it within their organisation then bring back to the UK, so we can share the information with all other organisations such as government, union and governing bodies."

Julia Weston, chief executive of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, said: "Churchill Fellows search the world for ways to improve their communities and professions. This life-changing opportunity is open to everyone, with our next round of grants opening on 27 April.”