Do you want to work in a fast-paced atmosphere where every day is different? Do you have dedication, determination and patience? A career in the emergency services is calling you!

BY LAUREN ADAMS

Fire Service

Jobs in the industry range from: firefighter, retained duty firefighter, fire control operators, crew manager and watch manager.

Hours: 42 per week
Starting Salary: £21,000+ per year

Entry requirements
You will need…

• To be at least 18 years old, though you can apply before if you shall reach the age of 18 when recruited (for those under 18 who are interested in a potential fire service career many boroughs offer a Young Fire-fighters Scheme as a starting point)
• A good standard of education - some brigades will prefer you to have GCSEs or equivalent
• A reasonably good level of physical fitness
• Provide details of any previous convictions and pass all background security checks.

You will need to pass a series of physical, written and medical tests alongside an interview.

Ambulance Paramedic

Hours: 37.5 per week
Starting Salary: £21,388 per year

Entry requirements
You need to be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in order to work as an unsupervised paramedic. You can qualify and become eligible for HCPC by:

• Completing a Foundation Degree, Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE), or Degree in Paramedic Science or Paramedic Emergency Care (subject titles vary)
• Applying for a student paramedic post with an ambulance trust and studying whilst learning on the job.

For a university course, you will usually need:

• A minimum of five GCSEs (A-C) including English, Maths and/or science
• Two or three A-levels, including a science.

You will also undergo medical checks and have background checks done by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Police and Law Enforcement Forces

Jobs in the industry range from: police officer, immigration officer, police community support officer, force intelligence officer, border patrol, immigrations officer, Inspector, and call handler.

Hours: 40 per week
Starting Salary; £19,000+ per year

Entry requirements
You will need…

• To be 18 or over
• To be a British or Commonwealth citizen, European Union (EU) or other European Economic Area (EEA) citizen, or a foreign national with the right to stay and work in the UK for an indefinite period
• To pass background and security checks, and give details of any previous convictions.

UPDATE: November 13th 2015 - in the news The College of Policing have floated the idea that all police officers in England and Wales should have a degree in policing.