0:00:02 > 0:00:05Britain's next generation of emergency service recruits,
0:00:05 > 0:00:06chosen from a pool of thousands.
0:00:06 > 0:00:11Rookies like Sam, who's put in years of study to land his dream job.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14I'm really becoming the paramedic that I wanted to be.
0:00:14 > 0:00:19And new recruit Laura, displaying skill and courage as she starts out
0:00:19 > 0:00:21as a lifeboat volunteer.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25It's brilliant. You get to save people's lives. It's just incredible.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28Police Special Laurence is giving up his spare time
0:00:28 > 0:00:30to serve the community.
0:00:30 > 0:00:34If I ever have to give this uniform back, it will be a very, very sad day.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37They've survived months of intensive training...
0:00:37 > 0:00:39- Come on, let's move! - Get back!
0:00:39 > 0:00:41OK, mate. Going to lift you in the boat.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43They've been tested to their limits...
0:00:43 > 0:00:46- Spray, spray! - It's burning.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48Stop panicking, don't worry.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51..all to realise their ultimate ambitions.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54It is everything I expected and more. It's such a great job.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56I really landed on my feet.
0:00:57 > 0:01:02Join them for their first time on the front line.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06In today's programme, a rush-hour crash...
0:01:06 > 0:01:09- That's a bus. - ..and Sam's biggest test yet.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13Drop all the seats in here, lie her flat and take her out that way.
0:01:13 > 0:01:14SHE COUGHS
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Sickness at sea...
0:01:18 > 0:01:20..and rescue on the river.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25Laura rushes to help as a pleasure boat sinks.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31And cracking down on dangerous drivers...
0:01:33 > 0:01:35..Laurence and his colleagues are on the case.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37- Do you know why you're being stopped?- No.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40You've just gone through a red traffic light.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47In the West Midlands, Sam du Plessis Grimson's paramedic career
0:01:47 > 0:01:48is three months old.
0:01:50 > 0:01:51He's been trained to handle everything -
0:01:51 > 0:01:54from critically ill casualties
0:01:54 > 0:01:56to major incidents,
0:01:56 > 0:01:58and he's treated dozens of patients.
0:02:00 > 0:02:05But Sam's had no serious car crashes to deal with, until today.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16It's just after 9am in Birmingham,
0:02:16 > 0:02:19and Sam's on duty with colleague Ben Hart.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24They're responding to a 999 call following a road traffic collision.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27We've got an RTC come through,
0:02:27 > 0:02:29but we're not too far from it now.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37As they arrive, the scale of the accident rapidly becomes apparent.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40It's a bus!
0:02:42 > 0:02:46The crash happened in rush hour at one of the city's busiest roundabouts.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50The police are already on scene.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53Do you know what's happened?
0:02:58 > 0:03:00OK, all right then.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04The bus passengers are unharmed, but the driver of the car,
0:03:04 > 0:03:07Jatinder, has been left stunned by the collision.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11Have you got any pain in your neck or back at all?
0:03:11 > 0:03:12It's just your neck?
0:03:12 > 0:03:16She is scared to move for fear of damaging her neck.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22I'm just going to have a little feel down and I want you to tell me if it hurts - just say yes or no.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24Don't nod your head or anything.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26There? When I'm pressing there?
0:03:26 > 0:03:31If her spinal cord is damaged, any movement could leave her paralysed.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39- There you go, how's that?- Yeah.- A bit better? Comfortable, OK.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41She needs to be freed urgently.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45But in this heavy traffic, there's a serious risk of another collision.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49Sam calls in backup.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52We're going to have to get the Fire Service to cut her out of the car.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56Hi, just single patient complaining of neck pain, central,
0:03:56 > 0:03:59so we're going to need Fire to extricate.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02The crash scene is causing a major traffic jam -
0:04:02 > 0:04:04the Fire Service has to come via a longer route.
0:04:06 > 0:04:07Sounds like them now.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11As lead paramedic, Sam is accountable for his patient,
0:04:11 > 0:04:15which means the fire crew must work to his instruction.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19It's a huge responsibility for the 22-year-old rookie.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22Are we OK stabilising her as she is?
0:04:22 > 0:04:26Yeah. If we get another person holding a little bit lower,
0:04:26 > 0:04:28so we can slide the board in-between.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31The firefighters get ready to cut the car in two,
0:04:31 > 0:04:34but Sam wants the driver freed quicker.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37What we can do, we can actually drop all the seats in here
0:04:37 > 0:04:40and lie her flat, put her on the board and take her out that way.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48It's the first time Sam's directed a fire crew.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51That will do, that will do, yeah.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55They inch the driver out on his orders - safely and successfully.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59Fantastic. Straps on my right.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03Can we get the straps on first?
0:05:03 > 0:05:07Hello, Jatinder! How are we feeling?
0:05:07 > 0:05:10A bit dizzy. You know we're just doing this as a precaution?
0:05:13 > 0:05:15Jatinder needs an X-ray as soon as possible,
0:05:15 > 0:05:18to see if there is damage to her neck or spine.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24She's delivered to A&E within minutes.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27Sam responded well to his first RTC.
0:05:28 > 0:05:29When we got there,
0:05:29 > 0:05:32it was quite dramatic seeing there were loads of cars going around
0:05:32 > 0:05:34and broken glass everywhere.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38Got the Fire Service out to give us a hand with that, and I've not had that before.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40That'll do, yeah.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44You have to be adaptable to be able to make the decision and stick with it.
0:05:44 > 0:05:45So yeah, really good.
0:05:49 > 0:05:5370 miles away in Cheshire, schoolteacher Martin Toner
0:05:53 > 0:05:57has been giving his free time to serve as an unpaid police special.
0:05:58 > 0:06:04In his first few shifts, he's arrested a man accused of assault
0:06:04 > 0:06:06and cracked down on antisocial behaviour.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11His next task - removing dangerous drivers from the road.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21Today, Martin and his constable tutor, Tim Williams,
0:06:21 > 0:06:24are taking part in Operation Contender -
0:06:24 > 0:06:28a Cheshire Police campaign targeting reckless drivers
0:06:28 > 0:06:30at accident black spots.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34On this road, there have been 22 fatalities, I think they said in the briefing this morning.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36So, yeah, it's very, very dangerous.
0:06:36 > 0:06:41200,000 people are killed or injured on Britain's roads every year.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45Today, when a speeding motorist is spotted,
0:06:45 > 0:06:48it's Martin's job to stop the vehicle.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52And it doesn't take long before he's called into action.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55In a 30mph zone, we got him at 39 miles an hour.
0:06:55 > 0:06:56Is this your vehicle?
0:06:58 > 0:07:00You're an insured driver in it, are you? Brilliant stuff.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04But speeding motorists are just one type of menace on our roads.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08Operation Contender also aims to stamp out another.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10We've got a plain spotter car further up the road.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14They will look at drivers going past, making sure they're not on mobile phones.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17The spotters soon see a driver on his phone at the wheel
0:07:17 > 0:07:20and radio their colleagues to stop him.
0:07:21 > 0:07:22The dark green one?
0:07:23 > 0:07:25Martin pulls him over.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31As Tim issues the driver with a ticket,
0:07:31 > 0:07:35Martin decides to do some extra police work.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38Can I get a PNC vehicle check, please?
0:07:38 > 0:07:41He runs the rule over the driver and the vehicle.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44Insurance is not held, right, OK.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50- Apparently the insurance is not held. - OK, no problem.
0:07:50 > 0:07:51Every week in Britain,
0:07:51 > 0:07:55the police seize 2,500 uninsured cars.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07The man may try to pass the buck,
0:08:07 > 0:08:11but, as the driver, he is legally responsible for the car on the road.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14A car he'll be going no further in today.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18If he wasn't on his phone, we would never have spotted the fact he wasn't insured.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21Obviously, we found out and we have seized the vehicle,
0:08:21 > 0:08:23so just waiting for it to be picked up now.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27Martin's decision to carry out the extra checks paid off.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29His mentor is impressed.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33It will be his first official ticket and his first official vehicle seizure for no insurance.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36It's a good result for Martin on this operation.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40Martin's Specials career has only just begun, but he's already
0:08:40 > 0:08:44showing the quick thinking he'll need to succeed in a role he loves.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47It's been absolutely brilliant. Going through training,
0:08:47 > 0:08:51actually being here and doing the job now, it's been great.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03The RNLI responds to emergencies all around the country's coastline
0:09:03 > 0:09:10and major inland waters, rescuing 8,000 people every year.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12OK, contact.
0:09:12 > 0:09:17The charity's highly trained volunteers put their own lives on the line to save others.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21How is everybody, all right?
0:09:21 > 0:09:24One of their newest recruits - Laura Bland.
0:09:28 > 0:09:3332-year-old Laura's day job is extremely demanding.
0:09:33 > 0:09:34I'm an A&E doctor.
0:09:34 > 0:09:40I'm training at West Middlesex Hospital, having done acute care, anaesthetics and intensive care,
0:09:40 > 0:09:45and now back in A&E, where my heart lies, and enjoying every minute.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48Laura's heart also lies with the RNLI.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51She regularly volunteers for her local lifeboat crew.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56It's brilliant and you get to save people's lives. It's just incredible.
0:09:58 > 0:10:03And Laura's about to receive further training on how to do just that,
0:10:03 > 0:10:07at the RNLI's state-of-the-art college in Poole, Dorset.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10You will enter the water, vent your suits, we'll make our way on board,
0:10:10 > 0:10:12crew numbers one, two, three.
0:10:12 > 0:10:17New lifeboat recruits from all over the country are on an intensive week-long course.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24They've already learned how to rescue a man overboard,
0:10:24 > 0:10:27how to use maritime equipment...
0:10:27 > 0:10:29Give it a little bit of a shake to get it going.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32..and how to survive a capsize.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41I have to say, it looked horrendous, and I was dreading it.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43But, really, nowhere near as bad as expected.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49But the young Londoner is about to face her biggest challenge yet -
0:10:49 > 0:10:53a training exercise on the open sea.
0:10:53 > 0:10:58We need to make sure we are as well equipped and up with our knowledge as possible.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04The recruits set off along the coast at high speed.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12They're about to be tested on whether they can manoeuvre
0:11:12 > 0:11:17the boat close enough to the cliff face to pick up a stranded casualty.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19LAURA COUGHS
0:11:19 > 0:11:20But there's a problem.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25The swell of the English Channel is proving too much for Laura.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30The dangerous exercise can't go ahead until she's ready.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33Every crew member has to be fully focused.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36Yeah.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47Laura soon realises she must ignore her seasickness and get to work.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Her role is to check for rocks beneath the surface
0:11:56 > 0:12:01as they carefully inch towards the jagged cliff face.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03There's no room for error.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09Clear! Clear!
0:12:09 > 0:12:12- Are we OK, Laura?- Yeah!- Can't hear you.- Sorry. Clear!
0:12:14 > 0:12:16Three gorges!
0:12:18 > 0:12:21- Half paddle! - Laura successfully guides them
0:12:21 > 0:12:25to within a metre of the cliff face - close enough to pull a casualty aboard.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28- Lovely jubbly. Take a seat. Good to go, guys?- Yeah.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35The exercise has gone well and Laura delivered when it mattered,
0:12:35 > 0:12:38bravely overcoming her seasickness in the process.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44I think a little bit too soon after lunch.
0:12:44 > 0:12:49And there aren't many waves. I have really no excuse whatsoever.
0:12:52 > 0:12:57Six months on, and Laura's volunteered for duty with the RNLI's busiest crew,
0:12:57 > 0:13:01based at the Tower Lifeboat Station on the Thames.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04And it's their most hectic night of the year.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06So, tonight being New Year's Eve, we don't know what's coming.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09We could be called to absolutely anything on the river.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12Who knows? But we're looking forward to it.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14Laura's been joined by a special crew mate -
0:13:14 > 0:13:18her partner of 18 months, Paul Savage.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20I must just be a complete and utter saddo,
0:13:20 > 0:13:25because the concept of New Year's Eve on the Thames doing lifeboat work
0:13:25 > 0:13:28with my fiancee, I couldn't think it'd be better.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32The couple are devoted to the RNLI, as well as to each other.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36Paul even proposed to Laura in a dry suit and life jacket,
0:13:36 > 0:13:39while on shift three months earlier.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42It's just happened. It's sparkly and it's all mine!
0:13:46 > 0:13:51Now they're spending their first New Year's Eve as an engaged couple on joint duty.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57Are you ready to party tonight?!
0:13:57 > 0:14:01Every December 31st, more than a quarter of a million revellers
0:14:01 > 0:14:04line the banks of the Thames.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08Another 12,000 join the celebrations in boats on the river.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15The RNLI work alongside the river police
0:14:15 > 0:14:17and coastguard throughout the night.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19- RADIO:- "London Coastguard, London Coastguard."
0:14:19 > 0:14:22- We are heading inbound above Westminster Bridge.- "OK."
0:14:23 > 0:14:25The evening is going without incident,
0:14:25 > 0:14:29until, suddenly, everything changes.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35A mayday is the highest level of distress.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37It means lives are in danger.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44The crew race to the scene.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51A pleasure boat is sinking.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55Passengers have been pulled aboard another vessel,
0:14:55 > 0:14:57but there's panic and confusion.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02Some of those rescued have been drinking,
0:15:02 > 0:15:04and establishing the facts is difficult.
0:15:05 > 0:15:10Other passengers may still be trapped inside the sinking vessel.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12Can you confirm all people are off that vessel?
0:15:14 > 0:15:17The skipper on the boat has said everyone's got off,
0:15:17 > 0:15:21yet a number of ten has come up
0:15:21 > 0:15:24and we're just trying to confirm everything.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26Seven people have been rescued.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30If ten were on board, that means three are missing
0:15:30 > 0:15:33and the situation suddenly becomes critical.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41Straightaway, Laura thoroughly checks the cabin of the sinking vessel.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45If anyone is trapped inside, this is the last chance to get them out.
0:15:51 > 0:15:56It's good news. Laura's confirmed no-one is still on board.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04With everyone definitely safe, the crew can return to base.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16That's as close as anyone really needs to get to saving somebody out of the river.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18You can see how quickly things become quite chaotic,
0:16:18 > 0:16:21just in trying to get the information that you need.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23For the remainder of the night,
0:16:23 > 0:16:26there are no more incidents to deal with.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28Laura and Paul can relax
0:16:28 > 0:16:32and enjoy the fireworks from the best seats in the house.
0:16:42 > 0:16:47In Birmingham, Sam's on a new shift with ambulance technician Tom Cheal.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51They're racing to a life-threatening emergency.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53A female of 88 who's probably having a stroke.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57It just says "probable stroke". It doesn't give us any other information,
0:16:57 > 0:16:59just that she's breathing and conscious.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02The longer stroke patients are left untreated,
0:17:02 > 0:17:05the greater the risk of damage to the brain.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07Every minute counts.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09We're just making sure that we get there
0:17:09 > 0:17:12quickly enough that we're able to get the patient to hospital,
0:17:12 > 0:17:13if they are having a stroke.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20- Hello.- Hello.- Hello, sir.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22The patient is called Jeet.
0:17:22 > 0:17:28Her son Jay found her collapsed in her front room, unable to speak.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30What time did you find her on the floor, sir?
0:17:30 > 0:17:32About quarter to 11.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36Sam must diagnose if Jeet has suffered a stroke.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38Can you squeeze my hand for me?
0:17:38 > 0:17:40Squeeze both hands.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43- She's not suffered from anything like this before?- No.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46Jeet's weak grip confirms Sam's fears.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50She has had a stroke, within the last two and a half hours now,
0:17:50 > 0:17:54so she is still sort of in the window for thrombolysis.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59Thrombolysis involves the delivery of a clot-busting drug
0:17:59 > 0:18:02that dissolves a blood haemorrhage in the brain.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06But it's only effective if given within four hours of the stroke.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08All right, my lovely.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11They need to get Jeet to a specialist unit immediately.
0:18:13 > 0:18:18Even though he's only a novice, Sam is staying cool under pressure.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21Nice and calm. Less haste more speed.
0:18:21 > 0:18:22Right when you are, mate.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24SIREN SOUNDS
0:18:24 > 0:18:28Sam ensures Jay realises the seriousness of the situation.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32She is having a stroke. We are going to get there as quickly as we can
0:18:32 > 0:18:33and, hopefully, go from there.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37Nearly there, my love.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41Within 15 minutes, they arrive at the specialist stroke unit.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53The paramedics did all they could do for their desperately ill patient,
0:18:53 > 0:18:56but just a short time later, Jeet passed away.
0:18:57 > 0:19:04In reality, a large part of our job is, unfortunately, dealing with bereavement.
0:19:04 > 0:19:05It has to be something you do on your own.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09You have to find your own coping mechanism.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13As long as I feel that I was able to provide the best level of care
0:19:13 > 0:19:18and the most comfortable environment, then I'm happy.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22And you do have to take it on board and move on from that,
0:19:22 > 0:19:26because it is the nature of the job, at the end of the day.
0:19:36 > 0:19:41In Cheshire, Police Special Laurence Towers is three months into his new role.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46He's locked up a violent man
0:19:46 > 0:19:48and dealt with a teenage shoplifter.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53His next task - a Saturday-night car patrol.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03Tonight, Laurence is on shift with experienced PC Phil Reeves.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05Jump in and we'll get going.
0:20:08 > 0:20:09Soon after heading out,
0:20:09 > 0:20:13the automatic number plate recognition system flashes an alert.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15There's a suspect vehicle up ahead.
0:20:15 > 0:20:21After doing a check on it, it came back as having no MOT, no tax.
0:20:21 > 0:20:26Pretty much ticked all the boxes for a car that needed to be stopped.
0:20:26 > 0:20:31The driver disappears down a side street, so Phil puts his foot down.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37Phil calls for backup.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40We lost it at the garage.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44Had to do a U-turn at the garage. We lost it there.
0:20:44 > 0:20:49Luckily, another patrol has spotted the same vehicle nearby.
0:20:49 > 0:20:54The sergeant in the unmarked Beemer has just pulled it over.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56It's Laurence's first vehicle stop -
0:20:56 > 0:21:01a chance to learn how to deal with a potential road traffic offender.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04Go and check the tax on the car at the front there.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06- Matching the reg of the car, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09And it's valid until June.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13Checks reveal that the car was taxed and MOT'd just hours earlier,
0:21:13 > 0:21:17which explains why it wasn't on the police national computer.
0:21:17 > 0:21:24But the situation still presents an opportunity for Phil to teach Laurence a new skill.
0:21:24 > 0:21:25We're going to breathalyse you.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28- Are you happy to provide a sample of breath for analysis?- Yeah.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32If your breath alcohol level is above 35, you'll be arrested. All right?
0:21:32 > 0:21:34So, big, deep breath.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37Failing a breath test could result in a 12-month driving ban,
0:21:37 > 0:21:43a £5,000 fine, or even a six-month jail sentence.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46Lovely, that's done. Going to analyse that now. Sample taken.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49After a matter of seconds, the result comes through.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53OK, and it's zero. OK?
0:21:53 > 0:21:58The driver's free to go and the officers return to their patrol.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01- Let's go.- Bang on.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05But the night doesn't get any quieter.
0:22:05 > 0:22:10Within minutes, Laurence spots a driver committing a dangerous offence.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13This taxi has just gone through a red light, blatantly,
0:22:13 > 0:22:16with a marked police car behind him. Let's go have a word with him.
0:22:16 > 0:22:21When he jumped the red light, the driver's taxi van almost hit a car.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24Hello, sir. Step out of the vehicle.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31Go to the other side of the vehicle. Do you know why you've been stopped?
0:22:31 > 0:22:34- No.- You've just gone through a red traffic light.- It was green.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37It was red, which is why that other car cut across your path,
0:22:37 > 0:22:39because they're on green.
0:22:39 > 0:22:44You're a professional driver, you need to spend a bit more time watching what you're doing.
0:22:44 > 0:22:48Laurence is about to book his first driver.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52- Caution him, yeah? Point out the offence you've witnessed.- Yeah.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55Ask him if he'd like to make a reply to that offence.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59- If he makes a reply, note that reply and ask him to sign that reply, all right?- OK.
0:22:59 > 0:23:05As a rookie, Laurence is continually assessed. He needs to get it right.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09You will be reported for consideration with the question of prosecuting you
0:23:09 > 0:23:12for the offence of contravening a red light. Have a good evening.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15The motorist will need to attend a driver awareness course,
0:23:15 > 0:23:17or face points on his licence.
0:23:19 > 0:23:24Laurence played his role perfectly. His mentor likes what he's seen.
0:23:24 > 0:23:25Happy days.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28He's keen, he's forward, but he's brilliant.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32I'm really impressed with him and I think he'll go places, I really do.
0:23:32 > 0:23:37Laurence is finding volunteer policing even more rewarding than he expected.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41Definitely plan on going out as much as I possibly can -
0:23:41 > 0:23:44developing, getting new skills, getting new experiences.
0:23:44 > 0:23:49I think if I ever have to give this uniform back, it would be a very, very sad day.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00Back in Birmingham, Sam's about to go on duty
0:24:00 > 0:24:04with fellow recruit and close friend Ben Pallante.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08- Let's do this. - It's like Ant and Dec!
0:24:08 > 0:24:10They went through paramedic training together,
0:24:10 > 0:24:14but this is the first time they've worked as a team.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17And soon, a 999 comes in.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21There's been a road accident and a man's seriously injured.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23We don't know what speed the vehicle was going at.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27If he was a pedestrian, he's got very little protection.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29The rain and near-freezing temperature mean
0:24:29 > 0:24:33the casualty could be suffering from the effect of the cold,
0:24:33 > 0:24:35as well as injuries sustained in the accident.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37Ah, there he is.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43The patient, Brian, is in a bad way.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47He's been hit by a car and thrown across the road.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49What's occurred?
0:24:49 > 0:24:52His partner Amanda is trying to comfort him.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06He can't move, basically.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Sam gets a spinal board and stretcher.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13Could be quite a serious injury, given the force.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17Where hurts at the moment, mate?
0:25:17 > 0:25:20- I'm feeling just pain in my back, at the minute.- Right.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24Brian must be immobilised. If his back is broken and he moves,
0:25:24 > 0:25:26he could be paralysed.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28Are you all right, Brian, yeah?
0:25:28 > 0:25:30He's starting to shiver.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32Unless they get him inside the ambulance soon,
0:25:32 > 0:25:35he'll be at risk of hypothermia.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39Keep your head still, that's it. We'll do all the movement.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41Ben asks the police officers present
0:25:41 > 0:25:44to help them get Brian onto the ambulance.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47Put a couple of straps over, then we'll lift him onto our bed.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50The young paramedics are working together like seasoned partners.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53Ready, steady, roll.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55OK.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57- Cool.- One, two, three.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01A few bumps.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03Brian is in agony.
0:26:03 > 0:26:04Agh!
0:26:04 > 0:26:07The crew need to get pain relief into his bloodstream.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11Can I pop a needle into your arm and I'll give you some painkillers?
0:26:11 > 0:26:13All right, sharp scratch, mate.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16With intravenous paracetamol administered,
0:26:16 > 0:26:19Sam will now drive Brian to hospital quickly...
0:26:19 > 0:26:22- Happy?- Yes. Ta, mate. - ..but carefully.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26We don't want to exacerbate the injury any further.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29So that's why we take it nice and smooth
0:26:29 > 0:26:31and he'll feel a bit better for it.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33By the time he reaches hospital,
0:26:33 > 0:26:36Brian's warm, comfortable and pain-free.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40Sam and Ben's teamwork has paid off,
0:26:40 > 0:26:44along with their dedication, training and years of study.
0:26:45 > 0:26:50If you can stomach the job and you have the drive to be a paramedic
0:26:50 > 0:26:53and help people and help patients, then, yeah, this job is for you.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56It's everything I expected and more. It's such a great job.
0:26:56 > 0:26:57I really landed on my feet
0:26:57 > 0:27:01and, you know, I can see myself doing this job for a very long time.
0:27:01 > 0:27:02Just can't wait for the future, really.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14Jatinder, the woman whose car was hit by a bus,
0:27:14 > 0:27:16was diagnosed with concussion.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19Fortunately, there's no long-term damage to her spine.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23The driver whose vehicle Martin seized
0:27:23 > 0:27:26purchased insurance the next day and got his car back.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29But he still had to pay a fixed-penalty notice
0:27:29 > 0:27:31for using a mobile phone at the wheel.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36Brian had an X-ray, which confirmed no broken bones -
0:27:36 > 0:27:39just severe bruising. He's making a slow recovery.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44And the 23 rookies we've followed in this series
0:27:44 > 0:27:48continue to go from strength to strength.
0:27:48 > 0:27:49Off we go.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51Contact!
0:27:51 > 0:27:53We've seen them make their first arrests...
0:27:53 > 0:27:57- You're under arrest. - On suspicion of two counts of Section 39 assault.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59Anything you do say may be given in evidence.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02..respond to their first 999 calls...
0:28:02 > 0:28:05- We've got a job, we need to go. - Yeah.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08- Need to go. - Better go, so, all right?
0:28:08 > 0:28:11..and fight their first fires.
0:28:11 > 0:28:12Hello, Fire Service!
0:28:12 > 0:28:14They've saved lives...
0:28:14 > 0:28:17How's his airway looking?
0:28:17 > 0:28:20..and put theirs on the line...
0:28:20 > 0:28:22Get off me!
0:28:22 > 0:28:25..as they embark on their exciting new careers.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27Well done, well done.
0:28:27 > 0:28:28They may have moved on,
0:28:28 > 0:28:33but they'll always remember their first time on the front line.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35End of the shift. Game over.