0:00:02 > 0:00:04Britain's next generation of Emergency Service recruits,
0:00:04 > 0:00:07chosen from a pool of thousands.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09Rookies, like Police Special Sarah,
0:00:09 > 0:00:11about to go out on her first shift...
0:00:11 > 0:00:12We're going to learn.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14We're just going to learn on our feet, I think.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16But that's exciting. It's good.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20..and 22-year-old Sam, setting out on a career as a paramedic.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23After all this induction, we'll be out in the big bad world
0:00:23 > 0:00:25and there'll be no safety net, which we've had for two years.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28Former hairdresser Helen wants to become a firefighter.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30Does she have what it takes?
0:00:30 > 0:00:32Obviously, it's a bit nerve-racking, but you get over it.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34I've got to, if I want to
0:00:34 > 0:00:36have a nice, long, successful career with it.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39They've survived months of intensive training.
0:00:39 > 0:00:40- Come on! Let's move!- Get back!
0:00:40 > 0:00:42One casualty, no signs of life.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44They've been tested to their limits...
0:00:44 > 0:00:47- Spray! Spray!- Burning, I think.
0:00:48 > 0:00:49Stop panicking. Don't worry.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52..all to realise their dream careers.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55It's just everything I've wanted for the last two years.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58Join them for their First Time on the Front Line.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05In today's programme, a domestic dispute...
0:01:05 > 0:01:07You injured, at all?
0:01:07 > 0:01:08..a complaint of theft...
0:01:08 > 0:01:12Inquiries suggest that the bike may be here.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16..and an experience Police Special Sarah won't forget.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18I have to say, that was actually worse than childbirth.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20It was agony.
0:01:20 > 0:01:26Feeling the heat, rookie firefighter Helen faces the toughest of tests.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29Let's get that casualty out! Come on!
0:01:29 > 0:01:33And one small child with one major allergic reaction.
0:01:33 > 0:01:34Sore throat?
0:01:34 > 0:01:37New paramedic Sam has to act fast.
0:01:42 > 0:01:43Get back!
0:01:54 > 0:01:56At Cheshire Police Training Centre,
0:01:56 > 0:02:00applicants to become Specials - unpaid volunteer officers -
0:02:00 > 0:02:03are nearing the end of their 20-day training programme.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05- OK, go!- Get back!
0:02:05 > 0:02:07One of the oldest is Sarah Johnson -
0:02:07 > 0:02:1046 years old and a mum of three.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13I've always to do something in the police force,
0:02:13 > 0:02:16probably ever since I was at school, and I never have.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19I looked on the website for Cheshire Police and they were
0:02:19 > 0:02:22recruiting Specials, so I thought, "This is a great opportunity
0:02:22 > 0:02:24"to do what I want to do."
0:02:24 > 0:02:28During the training, Sarah's learnt about restraining techniques...
0:02:28 > 0:02:29Down, down, down!
0:02:30 > 0:02:32..personal safety drills...
0:02:32 > 0:02:35Bringing it round, pushing down and stepping back.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38..even how to move like a police officer.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40So, if I'm facing that way, we're going to pivot
0:02:40 > 0:02:42and we're going to come into this position.
0:02:42 > 0:02:43You're just changing direction. Go!
0:02:45 > 0:02:46Good stuff.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50I've done various jobs, but I have, kind of, been a mum, pretty much,
0:02:50 > 0:02:51for, like, about ten years.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54And after that, I, kind of, just needed something
0:02:54 > 0:02:57a bit more challenging than pushing a pram.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00Today's challenge will be serious and stressful.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02When officers encounter violent suspects,
0:03:02 > 0:03:07they can use pepper spray to temporarily blind and disable them.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11It's painful and should only be used in extreme circumstances.
0:03:11 > 0:03:12To find out how painful,
0:03:12 > 0:03:15the recruits are asked to experience it themselves.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19They're given the liquid solution to dab into their eyes.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21Best thing to do, straightaway,
0:03:21 > 0:03:23is close your eyes, which you'll naturally do anyway,
0:03:23 > 0:03:26and then start to blink as quickly as possible.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30This form of pepper spray, Captor, is derived from hot chilli peppers.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33We will work out, quite easily by your reaction,
0:03:33 > 0:03:36whether you've done it or not, so if anybody doesn't want to do it,
0:03:36 > 0:03:38now's the time to say, because, otherwise, we'll be wasting
0:03:38 > 0:03:40after-care that somebody else will need.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43The chemical's designed to mimic the sensation of scalding heat.
0:03:43 > 0:03:44Good stuff.
0:03:44 > 0:03:45It works.
0:03:45 > 0:03:46Ah! (BLEEP.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50OK. OK. Let's just keep an eye on what we're doing.
0:03:50 > 0:03:51Yes, it hurts.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54It's all right. It hurts. Good stuff.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56OK. You can look out the other eye, remember.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03Like all the rookies, Sarah could have opted out,
0:04:03 > 0:04:06but she counted herself in.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08I'm proud of you. Well done.
0:04:08 > 0:04:09Well done.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12You put yourself on the line and that's good stuff, OK?
0:04:12 > 0:04:13It's horrible.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16It's all right.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18I have to say, that was actually worse than childbirth.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21It was agony. It was horrible.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23It was so frightening, as well,
0:04:23 > 0:04:26because when you actually, kind of, came round out of it,
0:04:26 > 0:04:27you were quite panicky
0:04:27 > 0:04:29because effectively, you've been, sort of,
0:04:29 > 0:04:31blinded for about 15 minutes.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35If you have to use it now, you'll have a little bit more empathy with someone.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37You'll go, "Actually, I know that really hurts."
0:04:37 > 0:04:41So, well done. You opened your eyes. You're good. You're good to go.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44Sarah's family were impressed when she told them
0:04:44 > 0:04:47she was trying out for the Specials.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49I'm really proud of her, because she's wanted to do it for, like,
0:04:49 > 0:04:52ages and it's good to see her doing something she wants to do.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55And it's, like, quite a good role model.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58She's been wanting to do this for, like, quite a while
0:04:58 > 0:05:01and, well, just seeing her being
0:05:01 > 0:05:04happy and smiling all the time has just been nice.
0:05:04 > 0:05:09She obviously gets a buzz from it, so, who knows?
0:05:09 > 0:05:12Maybe she's going to make a career of it. That would suit me.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14That would suit me fine!
0:05:20 > 0:05:23A month after successfully completing her training,
0:05:23 > 0:05:25Sarah's starting her first shift.
0:05:25 > 0:05:30New Specials are allocated constable tutors. Hers is PC Paul Tinson.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35Shortly after they head out on patrol, a 999 call comes in.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40I'm glad I'm not driving. It's really fast.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43The children will be revelling, when I tell them about this.
0:05:43 > 0:05:44That'll be, like, the big thing for them.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47They'll be, like, "Did you get to drive fast?"
0:05:47 > 0:05:50The officers have been called to a dispute at a house,
0:05:50 > 0:05:53but the information is sketchy.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55There may be a domestic ongoing.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58That's the only details we have so far.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02One in ten emergency calls to the police involve domestic incidents.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04To avoid alarming the house occupants,
0:06:04 > 0:06:07Paul turns off the siren as they approach.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15Hello.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18Do you want to speak to the female in here and find out what's gone on?
0:06:20 > 0:06:22You OK? What happened?
0:06:22 > 0:06:24Are you injured, at all?
0:06:24 > 0:06:27The wife tells Sarah she had a heated row with her husband,
0:06:27 > 0:06:29who's in the process of moving out.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32She was worried he might turn violent.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36To avoid the situation escalating, Paul tells him to leave.
0:06:36 > 0:06:41We have to make sure everybody's safe, which involves third parties.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45He's been drinking and he wants the keys for the van.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47She won't give him the keys.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51She's hidden them, so she's upset.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53He's too drunk to drive.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58From what she's said, he's had cider and wine
0:06:58 > 0:07:00by the bottle, not the glass.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03The husband agrees to leave immediately.
0:07:03 > 0:07:08For officers, mediating in domestics like this is commonplace.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11A lot of it is dealing with other people's conflicts that they
0:07:11 > 0:07:13can't deal with themselves, really, isn't it?
0:07:13 > 0:07:14It's good, though. It's good.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17He hands his house keys over to his ex.
0:07:17 > 0:07:18For Sarah and Paul,
0:07:18 > 0:07:21it's job done, but their shift is only just beginning.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32The West Midlands Ambulance Service has over 1,000 paramedics
0:07:32 > 0:07:33on its books.
0:07:33 > 0:07:38One of the youngest and newest is 22-year-old Sam du Plessis Grimson.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40- Got a job.- Off we go!
0:07:40 > 0:07:42On his first shift,
0:07:42 > 0:07:44Sam's attended a man who banged his head
0:07:44 > 0:07:47and a baby who overdosed on medicine.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49And the emergencies keep on coming.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00On this shift, Sam's been paired with experienced colleague
0:08:00 > 0:08:01Kat Moore.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05Their latest 999 involves an elderly woman who's collapsed at home.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10One side's gone weak, so... History of a previous heart attack, as well,
0:08:10 > 0:08:13so they're querying, sort of, a stroke, something like that.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17Even though he's the junior partner,
0:08:17 > 0:08:20it's Sam's turn to take the clinical lead.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24So, she's just suddenly not with it and she's not herself?
0:08:24 > 0:08:27Thena's daughter's worried she's suffered a stroke.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29About 20 minutes ago, she said to my daughter she wanted
0:08:29 > 0:08:32something to eat and when she brought it in, she just said,
0:08:32 > 0:08:36"Ooh!" And her eyes were, like, you know,
0:08:36 > 0:08:39- rolling and she'd gone all tacky.- OK.
0:08:39 > 0:08:44One in five strokes prove fatal. Sam must work quickly.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47Hello, Thena. My name's Sam from the ambulance service.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50- How are you feeling, my love? Not great?- No.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52OK. Are you able to open your mouth and stick your tongue out?
0:08:54 > 0:08:57Like that? OK. Fantastic.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00He needs to eliminate other possible causes of Thena's symptoms.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04She's diabetic and may be in hypoglycaemic shock.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06He checks her blood sugar levels.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08- 6.8.- 6.8?
0:09:08 > 0:09:10- Yeah.- That good or bad?
0:09:10 > 0:09:12That's good, yeah. That's fine, yeah.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16Sam's examination convinces him Thena has suffered a stroke.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18She needs urgent care.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21What we want to do is pop you in our chair, OK?
0:09:21 > 0:09:25But she's 84 and fragile. Moving her could cause injury.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30- Sorry, Nan.- There we go.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- Sorry, Nan.- You all right?
0:09:35 > 0:09:38The team needs to get her up the ramp and onto a stretcher
0:09:38 > 0:09:39smoothly and swiftly.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48Stroke causes 10% of deaths in women.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51Sam will keep Thena under constant observation.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55It's all about rapid driving at this point.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57He alerts the hospital stroke team.
0:09:59 > 0:10:00Hello. Query, a stroke.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03Facial weakness and slurred speech. Yeah, left side.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07Pulse is 83. BM, 6.9.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10And all the time, he tries to keep his patient awake.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13Thena, how are you feeling, my love?
0:10:14 > 0:10:15Do you know what day it is?
0:10:18 > 0:10:19- Saturday.- Saturday?
0:10:19 > 0:10:21Yeah, Saturday. Well done, yeah.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24A positive sign. Thena's still alert.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29Although she lives 25 miles from the stroke unit,
0:10:29 > 0:10:33Sam and Kat have got Thena there in just 27 minutes.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35Hello.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37You do have a real pressure as a paramedic
0:10:37 > 0:10:39to get that patient into hospital as soon as possible
0:10:39 > 0:10:42and make sure she has still a good quality of life,
0:10:42 > 0:10:44so I think we did well on that one.
0:10:44 > 0:10:45I think we worked really well as a team.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49We're all, sort of, gelling together. So, yeah. It was a good job.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56Sam's emergency service colleagues in West Midlands Fire respond
0:10:56 > 0:10:59to over 14,000 incidents a year -
0:10:59 > 0:11:02calls that often involve life and death.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05So, new recruits, like Helen Wyer, must prove
0:11:05 > 0:11:08they have the right stuff before being sent on duty.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15Come on, number two! Work it hard! Dig in!
0:11:15 > 0:11:18West Midlands Fire Service Training Academy.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22Yes, we're going to shout at you and the reason is to make you safe
0:11:22 > 0:11:24and to stop you doing something that potentially's going to
0:11:24 > 0:11:26put you in danger.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30A new batch of rookie firefighters
0:11:30 > 0:11:32are undergoing eight weeks' intensive training.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35And remember, it's a pass or fail course.
0:11:37 > 0:11:38Trauma skills...
0:11:38 > 0:11:41If you feel any pain, just let me know, all right, mate?
0:11:41 > 0:11:43..car crash extractions...
0:11:43 > 0:11:44Lovely! Looking good.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46..and water-rescue techniques...
0:11:46 > 0:11:48Try and reach the pole.
0:11:48 > 0:11:49..are all being perfected.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57Helen is former hairdresser.
0:11:57 > 0:12:02At 26, she's chosen a whole new career and lifestyle.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05I just got to a stage in my life where I needed to get settled
0:12:05 > 0:12:09near home, see, like, certain family members growing up
0:12:09 > 0:12:11and I needed a challenge. I needed something
0:12:11 > 0:12:13a lot more worthwhile doing.
0:12:13 > 0:12:14Everybody happy?
0:12:14 > 0:12:15THEY MUMBLE
0:12:15 > 0:12:18- Don't sound very convincing. Everybody happy?- Yes, sir!
0:12:18 > 0:12:21That's better! Feet up. Follow on. Bend down. Squidge in.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26Keep on going. Round again.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29Mr Ray, stop when you get up there for me, please.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31Today, she and her fellow trainees
0:12:31 > 0:12:32are learning how to rescue fire
0:12:32 > 0:12:36and smoke casualties whilst wearing breathing apparatus.
0:12:36 > 0:12:37Obviously, it's a bit nerve-racking,
0:12:37 > 0:12:40quite claustrophic and quite hard, but you get over it.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42I've got to, if I want to have
0:12:42 > 0:12:45a nice, long, successful career with it.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48We'll apply pressure as if they were arriving at a fire.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50Tuck all your low straps in.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52They'll start to get a bit flummoxed.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56They won't put their kit on properly because there's being a bit of pressure applied to them.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58You see how your glove is there? Do it properly, please.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01It's necessary to apply that level of pressure so that the individuals
0:13:01 > 0:13:05can react safely under that sort of pressure.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08So the first two, get your personal lines out.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10Guidelines are the ropes firefighters
0:13:10 > 0:13:14use to find their way out of buildings in zero visibility.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18You grab the line with the other hand. Like that, yeah.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21The golden rule - stay connected to the line at all times.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24Ah-ah! No. You're coming off the line.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27What was I doing wrong before?
0:13:27 > 0:13:30So as you're coming along, yeah? Arm off, underneath.
0:13:32 > 0:13:33Yeah?
0:13:33 > 0:13:36It's also important to stay in contact with your partner
0:13:36 > 0:13:40but on this exercise, Helen leaves her one behind.
0:13:40 > 0:13:46Right, remember, do not leave anybody on their own, all right?
0:13:46 > 0:13:48Teamwork.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52Helen understands why it's important to get these things 100% right.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55That's your life, basically, to get
0:13:55 > 0:13:57out of that building, if you've got to,
0:13:57 > 0:14:00there and then, without getting lost,
0:14:00 > 0:14:03whilst there's a fire trying to eat you up, as well,
0:14:03 > 0:14:06and you've got someone possibly screaming,
0:14:06 > 0:14:07all at the same time.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10Really challenging.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13The next session revolves around how to physically carry people
0:14:13 > 0:14:16from burning buildings.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18Most of our casualties or victims happen at night-time.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Most of them have either got nighties on, pyjamas on
0:14:21 > 0:14:23or, quite often, nothing.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25If the skin on them starts to burn, it starts to melt,
0:14:25 > 0:14:27they become very, very slippery,
0:14:27 > 0:14:30so they're very, very difficult to pick up.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33This is about technique, not necessarily strength.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35So, if I pick him up like this, it stands a chance.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38If he's slippery, he's just going to go like that and I'm going to
0:14:38 > 0:14:43lose him, so I need to get that wrist there and that one there, OK?
0:14:43 > 0:14:45I'm going to crouch down like that.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48- I've now got a straight back. OK. You ready, Derek?- OK.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51OK. Derek's ready. After three. One, two, three, lift.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55I've used my legs, OK? And off we go.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57Different scenarios are demonstrated.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00Then, it's the rookies' turn.
0:15:00 > 0:15:01One, two, three, lift.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04First two. Come on, don't be shy. Quickly.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06OK. Start up, test out, please. Quick as you can.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08- Pardon?- Start up, test out. Quick as you can.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12Start up, test out means get ready and check your kit.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15Someone didn't do this quick enough,
0:15:15 > 0:15:16so I have to get somebody else in, OK?
0:15:16 > 0:15:19So, proper buddy checks. Start to face each other.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21You've now got people in there waiting to be rescued,
0:15:21 > 0:15:23so, as quick as you can, all right?
0:15:23 > 0:15:25Helen's struggling to be ready fast enough.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29Right. Take it off. Next one. Quickly.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31Volunteer. Start up, test out.
0:15:31 > 0:15:32Quick!
0:15:32 > 0:15:36All she can do is watch, while the others hone their techniques.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38One, two, three, lift.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41Helen isn't the first recruit to make such mistakes
0:15:41 > 0:15:43and she won't be the last.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46It's nerves more than anything. Nerves and the apprehension.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48You take advantage of that as an instructor and you build on that
0:15:48 > 0:15:50and build their confidence, build the skills.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53OK. And that's as fast a buddy check as you need.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56When they leave here, almost what they do becomes second nature.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59Being the first time, obviously, I can't beat myself up too much.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03We're only going to find better ways and improve on it.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07Practice over, it's time for the casualty rescue exercise to begin.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14Heavy dummies are going to be hidden in a building. The rookies must find
0:16:14 > 0:16:18them and retrieve them, wearing full breathing apparatus.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22While Helen waits nervously, the first pair is briefed.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26Last-known location of the casualties are on the ground floor,
0:16:26 > 0:16:29rear, and upstairs bedroom. The fire is out.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32This is a search and rescue operation only.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36To pass the course, skills learned must be followed to the letter.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40If this was a real fire, gaps which let heat in could prove fatal.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44Now, what have we got here? Safely on there.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46Come on. We've got to go.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54As soon as they get inside, the firefighters are plunged
0:16:54 > 0:16:56into darkness.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59They need to make their way through a maze of rooms and find
0:16:59 > 0:17:01their way to the top of the building,
0:17:01 > 0:17:03looking for casualties en route.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05Come on! Let's go!
0:17:05 > 0:17:09Come on! You're holding everybody up! There's people to rescue!
0:17:09 > 0:17:12Helen entered the building in the second phase. She's successfully
0:17:12 > 0:17:15led her group to the top.
0:17:15 > 0:17:16Because she will emerge first,
0:17:16 > 0:17:19Helen needs to remember to check the window sill
0:17:19 > 0:17:22is secure before stepping out.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25Come on! Let's sort it out! Let's dig in, work hard.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27That's it. Good. Checking your footing.
0:17:29 > 0:17:30Well done, number one.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34Helen's made a good start, but the exercise is far from over.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39What we're doing is just changing your cylinder.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41We're going to put a fresh cylinder on for you.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45Now Helen's air cylinder's been replaced, it's onto phase two.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47Carry on. Guideline B, please.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51She and her partner must go down into a mock sewer,
0:17:51 > 0:17:53find two heavy casualties...
0:17:53 > 0:17:55Right, then. Let's move! Let's go!
0:17:55 > 0:17:58..and then defy their exhaustion to drag them to safety.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02Let's get that casualty out! Come on!
0:18:02 > 0:18:04Helen's only five foot two,
0:18:04 > 0:18:08but as far as modern firefighters are concerned, size doesn't matter.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12The Fire Service, historically, is about being big, bulky,
0:18:12 > 0:18:15strapping lads. That kind of stereotyped image
0:18:15 > 0:18:17is gone. The Fire Service now is more about
0:18:17 > 0:18:19mental awareness and mental determination.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22And Helen certainly isn't lacking in that.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26She's dragged a heavy dummy 25 metres.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28Come on. That's it. Work hard, push on!
0:18:28 > 0:18:31Good, number two. That's it. Get the information.
0:18:31 > 0:18:32Get the information.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36Shift!
0:18:36 > 0:18:38Come on! Let's pick it up! Let's move it along!
0:18:38 > 0:18:40Let's get them casualties out.
0:18:40 > 0:18:4330 minutes after starting the exercise,
0:18:43 > 0:18:45Helen reaches the finish line.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48Get him out. Get him clear.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52But there's one last test of her strength of character.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55The tutors pretend there are more dummies inside
0:18:55 > 0:18:56that need dragging out.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00Is the exhausted recruit up for going back in?
0:19:00 > 0:19:02We need to go again. Still somebody in there.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04- Go again. Guideline A, go again.- Right.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07Without hesitation, Helen agrees.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11Come on! Come on! Make sure it's guideline A.
0:19:11 > 0:19:12Go!
0:19:12 > 0:19:15Just through the doorway, we'll get them together, huddle them together
0:19:15 > 0:19:18and we can say, "Right, relax, just relax. Take a nice, big,
0:19:18 > 0:19:21"deep breath. When you're ready, we'll unclip and we'll go back
0:19:21 > 0:19:23"outside and you can take the equipment off."
0:19:23 > 0:19:26Over the course of the last seven hours, Helen has shown her
0:19:26 > 0:19:29mettle and convinced herself that
0:19:29 > 0:19:33when real casualties need rescuing, she'll be up to it.
0:19:33 > 0:19:34A lot more confident.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37I'm quite excited to do it again. but perhaps with fire,
0:19:37 > 0:19:41whereas, before, I was completely dreading the whole situation!
0:19:41 > 0:19:42I tend to beat myself up a lot
0:19:42 > 0:19:45when I can't do something as well as others.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47Yeah. Finishing the day on a high, doing something like that,
0:19:47 > 0:19:49it's a good feeling.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56Back in Chester, rookie Police Special Sarah and her mentor,
0:19:56 > 0:20:01Paul, are investigating reports of a stolen tandem bicycle.
0:20:01 > 0:20:02It's been advertised on the internet
0:20:02 > 0:20:05and the officers have the address of the man who's trying
0:20:05 > 0:20:06to sell it.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08HE KNOCKS
0:20:08 > 0:20:12We're investigating a theft of a bike at the moment, OK?
0:20:12 > 0:20:17And through inquiries, suggest that the bike may be here, OK?
0:20:17 > 0:20:19Is it all right if we come in for a second?
0:20:21 > 0:20:24The man denies knowing the bike was stolen when he acquired it.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28He says it's at his workshop, so the officers head there to check
0:20:28 > 0:20:29if that's the truth.
0:20:29 > 0:20:35He, for a living, buys old or broken bikes and he does them up
0:20:35 > 0:20:38and then sells them on again through auction sites.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41He's always going to run a risk of having stolen bikes
0:20:41 > 0:20:43through his hands.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50The man's story checks out.
0:20:50 > 0:20:51As soon as they arrive,
0:20:51 > 0:20:54Sarah finds what she and her colleagues have been looking for.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56We opened the front door of his workshop
0:20:56 > 0:21:01and the first thing we come to is a bicycle covered in a blanket,
0:21:01 > 0:21:03like a, sort of, horse in a brown blanket,
0:21:03 > 0:21:04so it's obviously the tandem.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08More than 100,000 bikes go missing in Britain every year.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11The owners of this one are in for a pleasant surprise.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14if Sarah and Paul can get it in the van.
0:21:14 > 0:21:15It might fit in.
0:21:15 > 0:21:16Will it fit in there?
0:21:16 > 0:21:20No. Might have to lift it. Yup.
0:21:24 > 0:21:25Mission accomplished.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29Sarah is buzzing after managing to recover stolen property
0:21:29 > 0:21:31on her first day.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34I get to put my initials on it and it'll be...
0:21:34 > 0:21:37I think it'll be SJJ1, won't it?
0:21:37 > 0:21:41Cos that'll be the first evidence that I'll have found.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45But, hopefully, not the last. It's back to the nick,
0:21:45 > 0:21:48bike booked in, statement written,
0:21:48 > 0:21:53shift over, and Sarah has little doubt about the highlight
0:21:53 > 0:21:54of the day.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56It's got to be the blue lights, hasn't it?
0:21:56 > 0:21:59Driving fast and the blue lights flashing, you know, watching
0:21:59 > 0:22:02people's faces as you go past. It is quite exciting.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11West Midlands Ambulance Service receives 3,000
0:22:11 > 0:22:13999 calls every day,
0:22:13 > 0:22:17more than enough to keep rookie paramedic Sam fully occupied.
0:22:18 > 0:22:19On this hectic shift,
0:22:19 > 0:22:23he and mentor Kat are responding to yet another emergency.
0:22:23 > 0:22:24A six-year-old male
0:22:24 > 0:22:28at the walk-in centre in Sunnyhill, with an allergic reaction
0:22:28 > 0:22:30to cashew nuts.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34Nut allergies are increasingly common,
0:22:34 > 0:22:36affecting 500,000 people in Britain.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39The most severe reactions lead to anaphylactic shock
0:22:39 > 0:22:42and that can be fatal.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46You can have airways compromised. Your airway will swell up
0:22:46 > 0:22:49and, potentially, become impeded, which then puts you
0:22:49 > 0:22:50at risk of respiratory arrest.
0:22:52 > 0:22:53Look at that! Police escort.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56- Shutting off the roundabout for us. - He is.- Legend! Woo!
0:23:04 > 0:23:07Sam goes on ahead while his partner collects the kit.
0:23:07 > 0:23:08Their latest patient,
0:23:08 > 0:23:11six-year-old Louis, is clearly in a bad way.
0:23:11 > 0:23:16- He's had five cashew nuts at his friend's house.- All right?
0:23:16 > 0:23:20Louis' facial swelling indicates a severe reaction.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22Breathing problems could soon follow.
0:23:22 > 0:23:23They need to rush him
0:23:23 > 0:23:27to the nearest paediatric unit at Heartlands Hospital.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30- We've been there a few times before, haven't we, babe?- Have you?
0:23:30 > 0:23:31You ever had cashew nuts before?
0:23:31 > 0:23:33No. Wheezy chest when he was a baby.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36The child's history of breathing problems is a concern.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38Little trip up to hospital.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42For a rookie paramedic, this is a major challenge.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44Louis could deteriorate rapidly.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46Can I just pop these straps on you,
0:23:46 > 0:23:49just to make sure you're all secure, OK?
0:23:49 > 0:23:51My course mate is a good driver.
0:23:51 > 0:23:52Just to be on the safe side, all right?
0:23:52 > 0:23:55This is going to go a little tight on your arm, OK?
0:23:55 > 0:23:56Just measures how strong you are.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59All right. Try not to break it, OK? There you go.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06During the journey, the little boy's mum grows increasingly anxious.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10I'm not comfortable with his thighs like that. He's being really brave.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14Just doesn't look like Louis at the moment.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17Sam monitors his young patient's breathing.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19OK, Louis. I'm just going to have another listen to you, mate.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21You all right?
0:24:21 > 0:24:23Suddenly, a worrying development.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26Louis' breathing is becoming compromised.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29The allergic reaction is getting worse.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32What we're going to do, just cos his breathing is starting to get
0:24:32 > 0:24:35a little wheezy, that just indicates that he's possibly got
0:24:35 > 0:24:37some inflation to his lungs,
0:24:37 > 0:24:41the allergic reaction has just spread to his chest.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43Sam has a big decision to make.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46He could inject Louis with adrenaline,
0:24:46 > 0:24:48but that would be an extreme course of action.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01Instead, Sam opts for a nebuliser, to open Louis' airways
0:25:01 > 0:25:04and, hopefully, deal with the immediate threat to life.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06But now there's another problem.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08Louis' throat might be closing up,
0:25:08 > 0:25:12a common cause of death in anaphylactic reactions.
0:25:12 > 0:25:13Sore throat? Yeah?
0:25:16 > 0:25:17Here, buddy.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21Have a big cough. Put this back on you, mate.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28Kat's already driving at speed, but she checks with Sam to see
0:25:28 > 0:25:30if she should go even faster.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33Give me a shout if anything changes and you need me to...
0:25:33 > 0:25:34He's just on a neb now.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37For the first time today, Sam's feeling the pressure.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43How you feeling now, Louis?
0:25:43 > 0:25:44Good?
0:25:46 > 0:25:47Good-o.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51Sam assesses Louis' breathing. It looks like his condition
0:25:51 > 0:25:52has stabilised.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56The wheeze is still there, but it's no worse.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00And his heart rate is stable, too.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04My machine here says you're very, very strong.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06You nearly broke it. You're stronger than me!
0:26:06 > 0:26:09Sam notifies the hospital an urgent case is arriving.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11Hi, I've got an alert for you.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17There you go, Lou. You've got your blue lights.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19- Can you hear them? - Those are for you.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25They reach the hospital, where, despite being stabilised,
0:26:25 > 0:26:28Louis will need immediate specialist care.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38Sam and Kat are working together like a well-oiled machine.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43As planned, the hospital staff are waiting for Louis
0:26:43 > 0:26:47and Sam prepares his young patient for what's going to happen next.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51Now, Louis, lots of people are going to be talking to you, OK?
0:26:51 > 0:26:53But just try not to get scared and try and tell them
0:26:53 > 0:26:55everything you can, all right, mate?
0:26:55 > 0:26:58They're going to be asking lots of silly questions,
0:26:58 > 0:27:01OK? Lots of weird questions, but it's very important you try
0:27:01 > 0:27:04and answer them as best you can, all right, mate? OK, good man.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07Louis' lungs are showing signs of improvement.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09Sam's decision to use the nebuliser,
0:27:09 > 0:27:13rather than injecting adrenaline has proved correct.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15You do have to make some snap decisions
0:27:15 > 0:27:17when you have a decision in your mind and you're
0:27:17 > 0:27:21there going, "Yes or no? Yes or no?" And you've just got to do it.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25And that's what I, sort of ,really did today, so I'm glad I did that.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28I'm glad I was able to make that decision and just do it.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31Kat is impressed with Sam's quick thinking.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35Yeah, that all went really well. The nebuliser's stabilised him
0:27:35 > 0:27:37till we got him to hospital, so good job.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40- Their shift ends on a high.- Yeah!
0:27:46 > 0:27:50Sam's patient, Thena, was diagnosed as having a stroke,
0:27:50 > 0:27:54but she recovered in hospital and returned home 48 hours later.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57The owners of the tandem were delighted to get it back.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00No charges were brought in relation to the case.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03And Louis' breathing soon returned to normal.
0:28:03 > 0:28:04He was discharged from hospital
0:28:04 > 0:28:07and three days later, the swelling went down.
0:28:12 > 0:28:17Rookie paramedic Ben races to a man wounded by a chain saw.
0:28:17 > 0:28:18We want to get there quickly,
0:28:18 > 0:28:21cos the patient could be losing a lot of blood.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25Mountain rescue rookie Chris is scrambled to a man
0:28:25 > 0:28:26with a broken leg.
0:28:26 > 0:28:30Just put that arm round the back of Chris' shoulder.
0:28:30 > 0:28:34And Police Special Martin spots a car driving suspiciously.
0:28:34 > 0:28:36It becomes his first high-speed pursuit.
0:28:36 > 0:28:40He missed the breathalyser and hit his head off the front seat.