0:00:02 > 0:00:04Britain's next generation of Emergency Service recruits,
0:00:04 > 0:00:06chosen from a pool of thousands.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09Rookies like Police Special Amber -
0:00:09 > 0:00:11she's already been on a drugs raid.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14Now she's about to face her first car patrol.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17I'm just going to try and be prepared for anything, really.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20Ben passed his paramedics training with flying colours
0:00:20 > 0:00:23but how will he cope doing the job for real?
0:00:23 > 0:00:25Feeling quite anxious but quite good as well,
0:00:25 > 0:00:27cos it's two years in the making now.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29And Ian's embarking on a new career
0:00:29 > 0:00:33with the Scottish Fire Service but does he have what it takes?
0:00:33 > 0:00:36My life has come full circle, if you like, which makes me happy.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38Roger that.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40They've survived months of intensive training...
0:00:40 > 0:00:42Come on, let's move!
0:00:42 > 0:00:43Ready, steady, roll.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45They've been tested to their limits.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48Spray, spray! It's burning.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51Stop panicking, don't worry.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53All to realise their dream careers.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57Relieved, ecstatic and nervous to start.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00Join them for their First Time On The Frontline.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05In today's programme,
0:01:05 > 0:01:08rookie paramedic Ben's faced with the kind of job
0:01:08 > 0:01:11even experienced colleagues dread - a seriously ill child.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13I've got a nine-month-old baby boy.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15So far today he's had ten fits.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18Fire recruit Ian is sent into a burning building
0:01:18 > 0:01:19to search for casualties.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25And Police Special Amber investigates a serious assault,
0:01:25 > 0:01:30but the teenage victim is too scared to identify his attackers.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32- Be honest with me - what's happened?- I fell over.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35You didn't fall over because I heard someone's assaulted you.
0:01:38 > 0:01:39Heart rate 120.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50West Midlands Ambulance Service Recruitment Day.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53Wannabe paramedics like 20-year-old Ben Pallante
0:01:53 > 0:01:55are being put through their paces.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58Less than half will be offered jobs today.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01Quite nervous, really. We'll see how it goes.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04For Ben, becoming a paramedic is a lifelong ambition.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07He joined St John Ambulance at the age of ten
0:02:07 > 0:02:10and has just completed a two-year foundation degree
0:02:10 > 0:02:12in Paramedic Science.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15I want to make a difference to people
0:02:15 > 0:02:19so...being confident and being able to do that job
0:02:19 > 0:02:21is what I want to do.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25For Ben to achieve his dream career, he needs to excel today.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28The first assessment focuses on hand strength.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31With a quarter of Britain's population clinically obese,
0:02:31 > 0:02:35paramedics often encounter heavy patients who need lifting.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38There are opportunities when you're on the road
0:02:38 > 0:02:40when you just need pure handgrip.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43Ben's being tested alongside close friend Sam du Plessis Grimson.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46Ben's determined to out-grip him.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53Absolutely nailed it, well done.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55What was the figure on that one then?
0:02:55 > 0:02:58- 49.4.- Oh!
0:02:58 > 0:03:01The friendly rivalry continues during a test
0:03:01 > 0:03:03to assess their flexibility.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06If paramedics haven't got supple hamstrings and lower spines,
0:03:06 > 0:03:10they're prone to serious back injuries in the line of duty.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12Easy. Thank you.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17LAUGHS
0:03:17 > 0:03:20I feel a competition going on here, gentlemen.
0:03:20 > 0:03:242-0 to Ben. Next, the back strength challenge.
0:03:24 > 0:03:29Paramedics often have to carry heavy kit as well as heavy patients.
0:03:29 > 0:03:34- Well done. 186.- 169.- Yes!
0:03:34 > 0:03:36The physical assessment is over
0:03:36 > 0:03:40and Ben has narrowly won his battle with Sam.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43- There wasn't a competition.- No. - This guy, he's just...
0:03:43 > 0:03:45But the real challenge today
0:03:45 > 0:03:49is securing one of the few full-time paramedic jobs up for grabs.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52Ben needs to impress with his ambulance driving abilities.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55- If you hit the cones, we've got a problem.- Yes.- OK?- No worries.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00OK, well done.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02The final part of the assessment process
0:04:02 > 0:04:06is a tough written exam to test the applicants' medical knowledge.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11Give it a go and you know, do my best is all I can do.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16The recruitment day is over.
0:04:16 > 0:04:21Of the 107 applicants, 47 have been successful.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24The other 60 will be getting bad news.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27Ben hopes he won't be one of them.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30Congratulations. You passed everything.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33- Brilliant, thank you. - The job's yours.- That's great.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38After a six-week training course, Ben will be good to go.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41Relieved, ecstatic and nervous to start.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46Three months later, and it's Ben's
0:04:46 > 0:04:49first shift as an official paramedic.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52I'm feeling quite anxious because obviously I don't know what the day
0:04:52 > 0:04:55is going to bring but good as well because it's two years in the making
0:04:55 > 0:04:58so I want to get out there and actually do the job.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01He's working alongside experienced colleague Sam Wong.
0:05:01 > 0:05:02It's quite nerve-racking for him.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05All his training has led up to today where he's basically
0:05:05 > 0:05:07going to be part of an ambulance crew.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10Unfortunately he's got the short straw, working with me.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12West Midlands Ambulance serves a population
0:05:12 > 0:05:14of over five million people
0:05:14 > 0:05:17and responds to over a million incidents a year,
0:05:17 > 0:05:19so it's no surprise that Ben and Sam
0:05:19 > 0:05:24get a 999 call just minutes into their shift.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26There's been a road traffic collision.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29Ben has to get them to the scene through rush hour traffic.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37A cyclist has collided with a car.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41Wojciech, who's Polish, has recovered consciousness
0:05:41 > 0:05:43but he received a serious blow to his head.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46Do you remember the event or were you knocked out?
0:05:46 > 0:05:49I remember the event. I was coming from that direction there.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51I was inside the roundabout and then I was stopped,
0:05:51 > 0:05:53just cut my bike and I hit.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55Wojciech was wearing a helmet,
0:05:55 > 0:05:57but still has bad bruising to his head
0:05:57 > 0:05:59and severe pain in his ear.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02Ben's first 999 patient may look OK
0:06:02 > 0:06:06but his training tells him nothing should be taken at face value.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09Just pinpoint where the pain is at the moment?
0:06:09 > 0:06:13Inside the left ear and in my head and it's increasing a bit.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16Wojciech also has pain in his neck.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19Ben needs to follow the protocols he's been taught.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21I think the best thing to do is pop you on this board,
0:06:21 > 0:06:25we'll keep you nice and flat and we'll take you for an X-ray on your neck and your back.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28Until the X-ray confirms there's no damage,
0:06:28 > 0:06:30he'll be immobilised with a collar.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33Ben and Sam can't take any chances.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36If his neck is broken, movement could paralyse him.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38Get this on.
0:06:38 > 0:06:39Yes. It's all right.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43Ben's training at university taught him
0:06:43 > 0:06:47the importance of thoroughly investigating impacts like this.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50We're just looking here for any damage to the car
0:06:50 > 0:06:52which could identify a pattern of injury -
0:06:52 > 0:06:54what part of his body may have hit the car window,
0:06:54 > 0:06:56the force involved.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59Cracked the windscreen, so a significant amount of force has been present there.
0:06:59 > 0:07:00The evidence indicates
0:07:00 > 0:07:03Wojciech could have a fractured skull.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05He needs to be assessed by specialists.
0:07:07 > 0:07:113,000 cyclists are killed or seriously injured
0:07:11 > 0:07:12on Britain's roads each year.
0:07:12 > 0:07:1775% of fatalities are caused by head injury.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20When they reach A&E,
0:07:20 > 0:07:23Wojciech's examination begins immediately.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25He does have a haematoma to his ear.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27He needs to be carefully rolled onto his side
0:07:27 > 0:07:29so his spine can be examined.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32The A&E doctor asks Ben to direct her team.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34So obviously you're in charge.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37Ben's training is about to be put to the test.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39- Over to you.- Everyone happy, yeah? - Yeah.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42The command will be "Ready, steady, roll" and we'll go roll, OK.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44Happy. Ready, steady, roll.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51Don't worry, mate, you're not going to fall off. We've got you.
0:07:51 > 0:07:52Wojciech's spine seems OK.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54Ready, steady, roll.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56But there is a concern about his neck,
0:07:56 > 0:07:59- You can feel pain here? - Yeah. Oh, yes.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01This is when it's painful?
0:08:01 > 0:08:03He needs an X-ray to investigate
0:08:03 > 0:08:06possible fractures in his neck and skull.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10Ben took his first 999 call in his stride,
0:08:10 > 0:08:13especially when asked to direct rolling the patient.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17Bless him. He took control and gave really good commands.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20Everyone knew when they needed to roll and yeah, it went really well.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24Brilliant. Very professional. Very cool, calm and collected.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27It's what I'd expect. I didn't realise it was his first day.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32After two years at uni being closely supervised by tutors,
0:08:32 > 0:08:34Ben's having to find his feet fast.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37I'm still looking round for my mentor to be there
0:08:37 > 0:08:40to sort of seek for a "Yeah, you're doing that right,"
0:08:40 > 0:08:43or "No, focus on this a little bit more." It's slowly sinking in.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48100 miles away in Cheshire,
0:08:48 > 0:08:52another emergency service rookie is also on a steep learning curve.
0:08:52 > 0:08:53Strike, strike, strike!
0:08:53 > 0:08:56Police Special Amber-Louise Evans
0:08:56 > 0:08:57went on a drugs bust on her first shift.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00You're under arrest concerning supply of controlled drugs.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04Now she faces a new challenge - her first car patrol.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15Amber's police adventure began in summer 2013
0:09:15 > 0:09:18when she attended a Specials training course.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21I've always wanted to be a police officer my whole life
0:09:21 > 0:09:23and being a Special, I think, is really a "try before you buy"
0:09:23 > 0:09:26kind of method of going into the regulars.
0:09:26 > 0:09:27At the end of the course,
0:09:27 > 0:09:30she had to excel in a tough assessment day
0:09:30 > 0:09:31to qualify as a Special.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34Really nervous, because obviously we've got to pass today
0:09:34 > 0:09:37to pass the final assessment so it's a big step.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41The first part of the assessment was a written exam.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45Ten detailed questions about legal process and police procedures.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50Amber was pleased with how the exam went.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53It was simpler than what I thought it was going to be
0:09:53 > 0:09:55but I'm still nervous anyway.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00But the hardest part of the day was yet to come, the practical exam.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04First, the wannabe Specials were assessed on whether they knew
0:10:04 > 0:10:08the positions officers must adopt when facing a hostile crowd.
0:10:08 > 0:10:09OK, ready stance.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11And how to reposition rapidly.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13Two step back, go!
0:10:13 > 0:10:16Next they had to prove they could safely pin to the ground
0:10:16 > 0:10:19a suspect resisting arrest.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22Over a million people are arrested in Britain every year
0:10:22 > 0:10:24and when they don't come quietly,
0:10:24 > 0:10:27the new recruits need to know how to handle them professionally.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29Down, down, down.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31And finally, had they learnt how to handcuff people
0:10:31 > 0:10:34in a way which secures them, but doesn't injure them.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36If you all go over to the box as quick as you can.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40When the assessment ended, the rookies soon found out their fate.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43Craig is going to shout out a few names, so we just need them
0:10:43 > 0:10:45to go over and speak to Craig.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47Everyone else, please take the pads back.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Amber passed and was assigned to the police station she'd wanted.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54I'm going to be working in Stockton Heath which is south of Warrington.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57The crime there is mainly based around drink-driving
0:10:57 > 0:10:59and burglaries and stuff like that.
0:10:59 > 0:11:00It won't be easy, obviously,
0:11:00 > 0:11:04but I think it will be a nice way to break into the job.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07And two months later,
0:11:07 > 0:11:10Amber's about to go out on her very first car patrol.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13I'm going to try to be prepared for anything, really.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15I think that's the scary part - you don't know
0:11:15 > 0:11:18what's going to come up. Anything could happen at all.
0:11:18 > 0:11:19When they start,
0:11:19 > 0:11:22Specials are assessed during an 18-month probationary period.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25They are assigned constable tutors -
0:11:25 > 0:11:28Amber's mentor today is PC Richard Whitehead.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30This afternoon we'll go out
0:11:30 > 0:11:33and see if we can spot a few of our local criminals.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36Ones that cause us the most problems.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42It doesn't take long for Richard to spot a suspicious vehicle.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46I've just seen a car I didn't like. Can I go and have a quick check?
0:11:46 > 0:11:50Amber's training didn't end when she finished the course.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53She needs to learn from her experienced mentor on duty.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57People always look at a police car going past so he was like this.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59He didn't seem to want to look at us.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03The same car was followed by police yesterday
0:12:03 > 0:12:06and a package thrown out of the window before it was stopped.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08The package couldn't be found.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11Moving vehicle check please.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14The car isn't registered locally and is heading into an estate
0:12:14 > 0:12:17where drug dealers are believed to be based.
0:12:17 > 0:12:18Richard pulls it over.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20This is an interesting vehicle.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23Routine stop, mate. This vehicle is not registered around here.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26It isn't registered around here. It's round the corner there.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30It's not registered here. It's registered in Bristol. That's why you've been stopped.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34Bristol's drug gangs are major players in the UK drugs market,
0:12:34 > 0:12:39which is estimated to have a value of £8.3 billion a year.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42Let's have a look in your pockets, please.
0:12:42 > 0:12:43LAUGHS
0:12:43 > 0:12:47- How much is there, kid? - Five ton.- Five ton.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50- Amber, just hold this.- Yes.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53£500 in cash arouses suspicion.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56If it had been £1,000 and he wasn't able to prove
0:12:56 > 0:12:59it was legitimate, the money could have been confiscated.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Any patrol from Stockton, any patrol from anywhere, please.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04Even though it's an active investigation,
0:13:04 > 0:13:07Richard still guides Amber through the process.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10Trust your instincts. If you think something's not right, go with it.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12He's going to an address with a lot of money
0:13:12 > 0:13:16so he's either just sold drugs or he's going to buy some more.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20The driver is searched and Amber's lesson continues.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23Always when you're searching, keep them in the angle of the door
0:13:23 > 0:13:25because if you got hold of a door, you can push them
0:13:25 > 0:13:28back into the door so you can get away as well if he does anything.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32The suspect has no drugs on his person - time to search his car.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41I don't think I've ever held this much money in my hand before.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44The suspect has convictions for theft and assault,
0:13:44 > 0:13:46which might explain the golf club in the boot.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48I don't think he's a golfer.
0:13:48 > 0:13:53That might be there to enforce or to keep hold of stuff that he has.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56No drugs are found in the vehicle
0:13:56 > 0:13:57but the stop was worthwhile.
0:13:57 > 0:14:02Richard's noticed the car's rear tyre is extremely dangerous.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05You're going to get reported for a summons, yeah.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09You're driving a vehicle with a defective and bald rear tyre.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12Richard sees a chance to stop the suspect in his tracks,
0:14:12 > 0:14:14even if only temporarily.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17What are you doing driving? You've got to change that tyre.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20You can't drive that, mate. Honestly you can't drive it.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23Get the jack out. It will take you two minutes to change the tyre, all right.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27- I'll come back for the car, then. - All right then, mate, no worries.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29The driver's about the same age as Amber.
0:14:29 > 0:14:34Despite the suspicious circumstances, she feels some sympathy for him.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37You know they've done something wrong, but I can't help
0:14:37 > 0:14:39but feel a bit bad for him.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42Even though I don't know anything about him.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44I just can't help it.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46It's something I'm going to have to get past.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50This has been a useful learning exercise for Amber.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53I can only gain more knowledge from experience.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55With experience comes confidence.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00200 miles away in Glasgow,
0:15:00 > 0:15:05another emergency service rookie is about to be stretched to the limit.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07Scottish Fire and Rescue recruit
0:15:07 > 0:15:10Ian Kennedy has just joined Cowcaddens station in Glasgow.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17It's taken 30-year-old Ian some time
0:15:17 > 0:15:20to decide on a career, but now he has,
0:15:20 > 0:15:22he's enjoying every minute.
0:15:22 > 0:15:23It's been life-changing.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26I had three part-time jobs but I've consolidated it
0:15:26 > 0:15:29into one job and it's something I can focus on.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31Ian used to combine his part-time work with athletics
0:15:31 > 0:15:34and ran for Scotland at international level.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36He still coaches youngsters.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39Lift the knees, John. Right through.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41Well done. OK.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45But now he's looking forward to a new challenge.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47My life has come full circle, if you like.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50Instead of having three motorway lanes, it's just now
0:15:50 > 0:15:52a single road and I'm going down it,
0:15:52 > 0:15:54which makes me happy.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56But to become a fully-fledged firefighter,
0:15:56 > 0:16:00Ian must impress during a three-year probationary period
0:16:00 > 0:16:03and he's about to get a chance to show off his new skills.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05Need to go!
0:16:12 > 0:16:15But when Ian's crew reaches its destination, a local hotel,
0:16:15 > 0:16:17it turns out a hot shower is to blame.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22Everything's resolved. It was just steam that set off the alarm.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25The false alarms go on...
0:16:25 > 0:16:27and on...
0:16:27 > 0:16:29and on.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32False alerts can be frustrating for firefighters,
0:16:32 > 0:16:34but they can't drop their guard.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37You still have to go through your procedures and get your sets on
0:16:37 > 0:16:40and treat it in a professional manner.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43There's no getting lax with this.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46To enforce the point, Ian must always stay on his toes.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49His watch commander, Brian Nellis, shows him
0:16:49 > 0:16:53footage of a factory fire he attended in 2012.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55We got there at two in the morning.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58We got relieved about half past eight, nine o'clock.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01High-reach appliances created "water curtains" to prevent
0:17:01 > 0:17:04flames spreading to nearby department stores.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08It took 45 firefighters eight hours to control the blaze.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11It was very developed by the time we got there.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13Smoke spread through lift shafts.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16Brian's message couldn't be more clear-cut.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18You go to these places 100 times.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21It's the 101st time that you get a fire,
0:17:21 > 0:17:24so you can't be complacent at all.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28Ian's next shift is his last before an 18-day break.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31It's going to start with some ladder training
0:17:31 > 0:17:34run by crew commander Karla Stevenson.
0:17:34 > 0:17:35But the drill's cut short.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38SIREN
0:17:38 > 0:17:41- Let's go.- The ladders need putting back on the appliance quickly,
0:17:41 > 0:17:45but there is one advantage of a call-out during a drill.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47At least we've got our kit on ready to go.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52Ian's been assigned the role of breathing apparatus, or BA,
0:17:52 > 0:17:54on this shout.
0:17:55 > 0:18:00Last week he was being trained in BA skills...
0:18:00 > 0:18:03and that training's about to be put to the test.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05This is no false alarm.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08The commander wants Ian
0:18:08 > 0:18:11to sweep the smoke-filled building for casualties.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19Smoke inhalation is the most common cause of death in house fires.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23If there are casualties inside, they need to be found fast.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25All right? Cheers.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31The fire's been extinguished.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35Luckily no-one was in the room when it was ablaze.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39And Ian's completed his search of the building - it's good news.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41There's no people in there so now the building's clear
0:18:41 > 0:18:43and we're just getting the smoke ventilator in.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46A powerful ventilation fan is going to be used to get the smoke
0:18:46 > 0:18:48out of the building.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51It blows air at 120mph, creating
0:18:51 > 0:18:55an airflow of 200,000 cubic feet per minute.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02The building is smoke-free in less than an hour.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05- Totally clear, yeah. - Yes, it's clear.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08Karla's investigated the cause of the fire
0:19:08 > 0:19:12and called in Strathclyde Police. It might be arson.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14On arrival, this window was open.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17Some sort of accelerant has been poured in through the window
0:19:17 > 0:19:20and set alight, so we've asked the police to attend
0:19:20 > 0:19:22because it's what we call wilful fire-raising,
0:19:22 > 0:19:24so what we need to do now is
0:19:24 > 0:19:27preserve the scene until their arrival.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29The occupier is away on holiday at the moment.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32The commander was impressed with Ian's search -
0:19:32 > 0:19:34it will be noted in his report.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41It's a great end to Ian's last shift before his break.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44As a person, I feel more confident.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51I still won't be happy until I've done my three years and got my qualification
0:19:51 > 0:19:54but it's definitely got my confidence on,
0:19:54 > 0:19:59coming into the station and actually doing the job.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01Job done.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10Back in Birmingham, rookie Paramedic Ben is on another shift.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13He's been partnered with experienced colleague
0:20:13 > 0:20:17Andy Grant. They're on their way to an urgent 999 call
0:20:17 > 0:20:21and Ben's going to take clinical lead with this patient.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24Nine-month-old patient with brain damage.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28Ben's worried a case involving a brain-damaged baby
0:20:28 > 0:20:31might be beyond him so early in his career.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33There's a note on here saying the patient has a brain problem
0:20:33 > 0:20:36so it could be quite serious really.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40I haven't really dealt with anything as serious as this.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43The patient, Oscar, suffers from epilepsy.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45While Andy checks him over,
0:20:45 > 0:20:49Ben establishes Oscar's medical history with his worried parents.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52Every time he goes to sleep, he's fitting quite severely.
0:20:52 > 0:20:53He's had about nine.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56- He's had nine fits, just sat there with my dad.- Today?- Today, yeah.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00Can you describe the fits to me, please?
0:21:00 > 0:21:03His whole body. Whole body fit, yeah.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05He's got brain damage.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09Baby Oscar has been in and out of hospital all his life.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11Normally, he has nine throughout the day
0:21:11 > 0:21:14but there we just counted about nine
0:21:14 > 0:21:16in the space of about four, five minutes.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20It was like a constant fit. He'd stop, come out and then go back in.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23Well, I think the best thing to do is,
0:21:23 > 0:21:25obviously these fits are a bit abnormal
0:21:25 > 0:21:27for his usual characteristics, OK, so what we'll do,
0:21:27 > 0:21:30we'll pop him up to the Children's Hospital, which is where he's treated.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36Andy drives while Ben monitors Oscar en route.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45Soon there are signs of another seizure.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48He just had a little one there now.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50Oh, right, this is how it starts, is it?
0:21:50 > 0:21:55And what I might do, mate, I might give the Children's a ring.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57- OK. How come? - He's starting another one.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59Do you want a hand for two minutes?
0:21:59 > 0:22:01I'm all right, I think, mate, to be fair.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04Oscar is seriously ill.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07Ben follows his training and makes sure the specialists are ready
0:22:07 > 0:22:09and waiting at the hospital.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11Can I pop an alert in, please?
0:22:11 > 0:22:13I've got a nine-month-old baby boy.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16So far today he's had ten fits, ten convulsions.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20Heart rate 120 and systolic 118.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22He's known hypertensive.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25I just let the hospital know that we're coming,
0:22:25 > 0:22:28just so they can get a team ready because obviously
0:22:28 > 0:22:31if he's had ten, it's not really normal for him
0:22:31 > 0:22:35so a team of doctors will be there so they can treat him quite quickly.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38I have got some stuff out ready just in case he has another one,
0:22:38 > 0:22:40we can treat him for it.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42The fits may lead to Oscar's brain
0:22:42 > 0:22:44being deprived of oxygen.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47Ben wants to boost the oxygen levels in Oscar's blood
0:22:47 > 0:22:50to prevent that happening.
0:22:50 > 0:22:51I'll just put it by his face
0:22:51 > 0:22:54so he can breathe in and it doesn't scare him too much.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09Ben's treatment has done the trick.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13The oxygen levels in Oscar's blood remain high.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15Yeah, sats 98 per cent.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17OK.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19Andy's an experienced blue-light driver -
0:23:19 > 0:23:22a 20-minute journey to the hospital is done in ten.
0:23:22 > 0:23:27We'll unclip him from the seat and we'll leave him on the bed
0:23:27 > 0:23:30and we'll wheel the bed in. Saves anyone carrying him,
0:23:30 > 0:23:33so he's got a bit more freedom if he does have one.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35He's got a bit more room.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39Ben briefs Andy on how many fits Oscar had during the journey.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42We've had three en route, mate.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44Even though Ben's only a rookie,
0:23:44 > 0:23:47he expertly stabilised Oscar in the ambulance,
0:23:47 > 0:23:49giving his patient the best chance of a positive outcome.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Quite scary, really, certainly for a new paramedic
0:23:52 > 0:23:54because obviously no-one likes poorly children.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58Poorly children are not really a nice thing to go out to.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01Although we made a difference, we got Oscar to hospital quite quickly.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07It's the end of the shift and his mentor is impressed.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10Yeah, he did acquit himself really, really well.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13He thought, you know, "Think for the worst, hope for the best",
0:24:13 > 0:24:15so he alerted the hospital, he put oxygen on him.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18He was thinking about, "Oh, what if this deteriorates?"
0:24:18 > 0:24:21Children do scare most health care professionals.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24You know, it didn't seem to faze him too much or if it did faze him,
0:24:24 > 0:24:26he wasn't showing it and that's the key.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33Back in Warrington,
0:24:33 > 0:24:35rookie Special Amber and her mentor Richard
0:24:35 > 0:24:39are responding to a report of a teenager being beaten up
0:24:39 > 0:24:40on the outskirts of town.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44Every year there are over 600,000 violent attacks in Britain.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48One male still at the location.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50One male has just got into a car.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53While colleagues go in pursuit of the attacker,
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Richard and Amber head to where the assault was reported.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00Hey, mate. What's up?
0:25:00 > 0:25:02I don't want to press charges. I fell over.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04- Be honest with me. What's happened? - I fell over.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07You didn't fall over because I've heard someone's assaulted you.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10The teenager has extensive bruising around his eye.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12The socket may be fractured.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14Who's hit you? Let's go and find them.
0:25:14 > 0:25:16No, I don't want to grass. I'm not a grass.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19What if your eye is that badly damaged, you wake up tomorrow
0:25:19 > 0:25:21- and you can't see? - I'm not giving no name.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25While Richard tries to get some sense out of the victim, Amber finds
0:25:25 > 0:25:29a witness and discovers some vital information about the getaway car.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32- It's a green Fiesta. - OK, give me a second.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34He's not going to say a word, keeping his gob shut
0:25:34 > 0:25:37but the lads were hanging around, quite willing to all jump out.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39As they've come out, the lad's just getting battered.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41The victim is still being uncooperative,
0:25:41 > 0:25:46so it's down to Amber to get to the bottom of what really happened.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48How many did you say there were?
0:25:48 > 0:25:50Three of them. The lad just getting smashed in.
0:25:50 > 0:25:55He didn't fight back, he should have but it was a full assault on him.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58The victim wants to leave with his girlfriend.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01- I need to walk her into town. - You've got to walk into town?
0:26:01 > 0:26:03- Yeah.- What if you come across these lads again?
0:26:03 > 0:26:06- What if they get you again between here and town?- Then they'll get me.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09Finally the lad reveals the truth about what happened,
0:26:09 > 0:26:10but only for a moment.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13I deserved it. I deserved the whacking.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16- So you're telling me you were assaulted, then?- No, I fell over.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18- I need to go and catch her up. - Go and catch her up, then.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20Amber reports back on her findings.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23- I've got a little bit of information about what happened.- Go on.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25- Three lads in a green Fiesta. - Yeah.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29Yeah, and he was just down there, cowering down, didn't fight back.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32Amber discovering the lad was kicked on the ground
0:26:32 > 0:26:34by three attackers convinces Richard
0:26:34 > 0:26:38he'd be in serious danger if he encounters them again.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40Richard asks an unmarked police car
0:26:40 > 0:26:42to take the lad and his girlfriend to safety.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44We've given him a lift home
0:26:44 > 0:26:46to avoid any further problems this evening
0:26:46 > 0:26:48and I'll come speak to him tomorrow to see
0:26:48 > 0:26:51if he's a little more forthcoming with who has assaulted him.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54Amber understands why he didn't want to describe his attackers.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57I think it's a hard age to be at, especially
0:26:57 > 0:27:00when you've got to prove yourself to other people.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02I think he was too scared to give any details about what happened
0:27:02 > 0:27:05because he thought he was going to get grassed in.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07It must be horrible going through that.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10Amber may have only been an observer at the search
0:27:10 > 0:27:14but she played a crucial role in investigating the assault.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17She puts her growing confidence down to her mentor.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20Richie's really proactive, he's really into
0:27:20 > 0:27:24what he's doing. He's just full of energy.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28I feel like so far I've kind of being hidden in my shell a bit
0:27:28 > 0:27:32and he forced me in ways to get out of it and get stuck in.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35That's exactly the kind of person I really needed to go on duty with.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42Ben's first patient, Wojciech, was diagnosed with severe whiplash
0:27:42 > 0:27:45and concussion, but no broken bones.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47He's now on the road to recovery.
0:27:47 > 0:27:51The investigation into the suspected arson attack
0:27:51 > 0:27:53which firefighter Ian attended is ongoing.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56Police have several lines of inquiry.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01The Volvo driver was prosecuted for his dangerous tyre.
0:28:01 > 0:28:06He was fined £525 and received three penalty points on his licence.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12And baby Oscar is now home and on new epilepsy medication.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14His condition is much improved.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21Next time, rookie Kelly's trauma training
0:28:21 > 0:28:24is put to the test as she attends a child whose life is on the line.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28He's got a large laceration to his cheek.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32Police Special Laurence responds to an allegation
0:28:32 > 0:28:36of a serious domestic assault on his very first shift.
0:28:36 > 0:28:38Police. What's gone on?
0:28:38 > 0:28:42And mountain rescue recruit Tom's called to a badly injured walker
0:28:42 > 0:28:44who needs airlifting to safety.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46We need to get this together ASAP!