The emergency services are organisations that work to ensure public safety by addressing different types of emergency. Some agencies exist solely to address particular types of emergency, while others deal with ad hoc emergencies as part of their normal day-to-day responsibilities. Many agencies also engage in community awareness and prevention programmes to help the public avoid, detect and report emergencies effectively.

The availability of emergency services is heavily dependent on location, but there are three services that are almost universally acknowledged as being core to the provision of emergency care to the general public. They are generally summoned on a dedicated emergency telephone number – 999 in the UK – reserved for critical emergency calls. These are:

• the Police – providing community safety and acting to reduce crime against persons and property
• the Fire and Rescue Service – providing fire-fighters to deal with fire and rescue operations, and may also deal with some secondary emergency service duties
• the Ambulance Service – providing ambulances and staff to deal with medical emergencies.
• Other emergency services can be provided by one of the above core services or by a separate government or private body, or by voluntary groups. These include:
• the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA)
• the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)
• mountain, cave and lowland search and rescue (SAR) teams (e.g. Mountain Rescue and the Cave Rescue Organisation).

Emergency services-related skills gained in the Services

Clearly, many of the general and specific skills and qualifications, and much of the experience necessary to work in roles for the above-named emergency services are possessed by many people in the Services. Indeed, a number of them are already working in some area of SAR and emergency activities. There is both paid and voluntary work available in this field, with some areas offering opportunities for Service leavers.

Police

Every year, many people leave the Armed Forces to join the Police. They enjoy working in teams, operating in a structured organisation and serving the community. There are, of course, many differences because the Police have an association, people have a greater say in their employment and the more senior managers all start on the shop floor. It is also perfectly possible for a Constable to spend a whole career in that rank.

There are eight forces in Scotland, with (as at March 2011) 17,263 serving officers (full-time equivalent), which includes 16,687 Police officers deployed in the eight forces and 576 on secondment or central service. The Police service of Northern Ireland employs 7765 regular officers and 2420 support staff. There are also specialist Police in such areas as the MoD and nuclear establishments, while at the heart of every major Police station is the control room. Here, Police and support staff monitor and control Police activity using advanced ICT to direct officers in their tasks.

Key qualities

Physical and mental fitness, powers of observation, the ability to write and handle numbers, logical thought, stamina, common sense and good judgement are the key qualities needed by those thinking of joining the Police or becoming a Community Support Officer. If you think you would be suited to this sort of work you would be well advised to attend the relevant resettlement course because the right preparation will lead to a better performance during what many potential recruits find a demanding selection process.

Applying to join

Recruiting is regional, with each force responsible for its own manning. Potential Police officers begin the application process by choosing the force for which they would like to work (note that you can only apply to one force at a time). You fill in an application form (usually online via the website www.policecouldyou.co.uk), which is sent to the force in question. After that, a three-step process begins.

• Step 1: on receiving your application form, the force that you have applied to will check your eligibility and mark your responses to competency questions (if these are used by the force). If your application is successful, you will be invited to attend an assessment centre (step 2).
• Step 2: if you pass the assessment centre, you will then take a fitness test.
• Step 3: your references will be checked, and you’ll undergo background, security, medical and eyesight checks.

Some forces may choose to run additional assessment stages, such as a second interview.

The process can take anything between a few weeks and several months, depending on the force and the individual’s availability. Because each force is independent, they all select and train their officers slightly differently. However, everybody joins the Police as a probationer (learner) under training for two years. A Constable is then considered ready to take on the full range of duties, and can also specialise in a wide variety of roles carried out by a modern Police force.

Promotion is achieved through passing exams. The High Potential Development Scheme managed by the National Policing Improvement Agency (www.npia.police.uk) has recently undergone extensive revision and leads to a master’s qualification.

Pay and benefits

The minimum age for joining is 18, with a pension after 30 years’ service, and there is a latest retirement age of 55 (60 for inspectors and above). Rates of pay vary by force, generally starting at an annual rate of around £23,000, and rising with each year of experience. Officers in some forces receive additional allowances to complement their salary. In addition, Police officers receive a wide range of benefits, including excellent pension plans, a fair and inclusive promotion policy, and flexible working hours.

So, if you become a police officer you can expect:

• a flexible working schedule
• paid overtime
• a minimum of 23 days’ annual leave
• fully paid sick leave.

The Fire and Rescue Service 

Fire-fighters are called upon to tackle various emergency situations, where their problem-solving skills and initiative will play a vital role in resolving issues quickly and calmly. The work may vary from tackling fires and rescuing people from burning buildings to dealing with chemical spillages and road traffic collisions (RTCs). On top of this, a sensitive approach is required when dealing with members of the public, who may be distressed and confused. Today’s fire-fighters also work closely with the community to increase their level of awareness and so prevent incidents from occurring in the first place. 

However, according to the Fire Service website (www.fireservice.co.uk), becoming a fire-fighter in the UK Fire and Rescue Service does not come easily. In fact many serving fire-fighters have spent a great deal of time applying and preparing themselves prior to gaining entry. So, those wishing to work in this sector must be prepared to work hard – and will also need patience when working through the recruitment process.

The process of joining the Fire and Rescue Service varies throughout the UK, but it is suggested that, first, you read the entire recruitment section of the aforementioned website carefully. Once you are sure that it is something you wish to do, you need to find out if and when your local Fire and Rescue Service is recruiting fire-fighters (this information can also be ascertained on the Fire Service website).

Entrants to the Fire service have to be aged over 18, should possess good communication skills, have good all-round fitness, and will need to pass written and practical tests. Each service is responsible for its own recruitment and career progression. No formal qualifications are required to become a fire-fighter, but you will need to pass a series of written and aptitude tests in order to proceed with any application. Any qualifications you bring to the service may help with future promotion, as this is based on merit, experience and training. Recruits attend initial training at a training centre and then join a station for operational duties. Further training follows, as well as in-service development leading to specialist training. After satisfactory completion of the two-year probationary period, recruits become fully qualified fire-fighters.

From Forces to Fire Service …

According to the Fire Service website, the fact that you have been in the Forces will help in terms of discipline and the physical side of the job. However, those coming into fire-fighting from the Forces will have to start by filling out an application form and completing the tests like everyone else: there is no process for ex-Forces people to transfer straight across. Those currently serving in the Forces are more than welcome to submit an application to join the Fire and Rescue Service, but must be available to undertake any tests that will be required of them. Because these tests may be held on separate days, those posted overseas may find this difficult. In addition, if offered a contract of employment, you must be able to start your training course on the required day. Failure to do so will end your employment and your place will be given to someone who can. For these reasons, many people find it best to wait until they have left the Forces before making an application.

Rates of pay

Salaries range from £21,157 for an entry-level full-time fire-fighter to a £40,109 top-end guideline salary for station managers, via up to £31,263 for a ‘competent’ crew manager. 

Ambulance Service 

The NHS Ambulance Services in the UK are organised into 12 regional English services, three single national Ambulance Services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the islands of Guernsey, Jersey and Man. Each service has its own rules and entry requirements. The minimum age is generally 18 and, while there is no maximum age for recruits, 35 to 40 is generally regarded as the upper limit due to the time it takes to train someone to the necessary standards.

The NHS Ambulance Service has recently undergone a large number of changes. There has been a significant investment in the training and development of ambulance crews. Each year about 1 in 20 people in the UK will use the accident and emergency Ambulance Service; however, responding to 999 calls makes up only 10% of the total number of Ambulance Service journeys – it is also involved in non-emergency work through the patient transport service.

Typically, emergency ambulance crews comprise an emergency care assistant and a paramedic, and the vehicles themselves are designed to provide a clinical workplace with the maximum mobility. Roles in the Ambulance Service include:

• ambulance care assistant – driving patients to and from hospital admissions and other healthcare appointments
• emergency care practitioner – assessing patients and treating or referring them
• emergency medical dispatcher – sending ambulances, cars, motorcycles or helicopters to the scene
• paramedic – the senior healthcare professional at an accident or emergency
• patient transport services controller – organising transport to take patients to appointments.

Training could take two to three weeks for a care assistant, six to nine weeks for an emergency care assistant, and two to five years for a paramedic.

Private ambulance services are also operational across the UK. These, too, employ paramedics and technicians. As well as serving leading medical insurance providers and individuals, they may also provide cover for a wide range of major events, such as sports, festivals and other large gatherings. Again, each will have its own entry requirements and training structure.

Applying for jobs

All Ambulance Service trusts in England and Wales recruit on a individual basis and advertise on the NHS Jobs website (www.jobs.nhs.uk). Vacancies are also listed on the individual Ambulance Service trust websites (see NHS Choices, www.nhs.uk, for contact details) and Jobcentre Plus. There is also a great deal of useful information to be found in the ‘Ambulance’ section of the NHS Careers website (www.nhscareers.nhs.uk).

Rates of pay

Salaries range from £13,903 to £17,003 for an emergency service call taker, via £21,176 to £27,625 for paramedics and £15,860 to £18,827 for ambulance services drivers, and higher for area managers (£30,460+), with London allowances as appropriate. Most managers rise through the ranks.

HM Coastguard

HM Coastguard co-ordinates SAR at sea and on the coastline through a network of co-ordination centres, supported by 3,500 volunteer auxiliary coastguards, organised into response teams. Watch Officers have extensive relevant sea experience, although some training is provided. Academic qualifications and a medical are required, as is a valid UK driving licence for Group A–E vehicles. Coastguard Watch Assistants do not require any formal qualifications or previous experience, however a medical is also required. Recruitment is conducted centrally. Details of vacancies can be found at www.mcga.gov.uk.

Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)

RNLI crew members are volunteers, at least 17 years old, medically fit with excellent eyesight; they live within four minutes of the nearest lifeboat station and are prepared to respond 24/7. They do not need to have maritime experience (although it is an advantage) because training is provided, but they will have to pass a probationary period (usually one year). Crew members come from a wide variety of backgrounds, but all will need to be team players, who enjoy hard physical work – the most important qualification is 100% commitment. To find out more, visit www.rnli.org.uk.

Mountain, cave and lowland SAR teams

Over 60 teams operate in the UK, manned entirely by male and female volunteers, mostly aged between 30 and 50. The majority have good general mountaineering or caving experience and will attend specified training before becoming a full team member. Typical annual team running costs of between £15,000 and £70,000 are met through public subscription

KEY CONTACTS

As well as the website addresses provided above, contact information for all organisations mentioned in this article can be found in your local telephone directory or online.