What attracted you to the job?

Dave!

Hey folks,

just wondering what attracted current members of the ES to their job.

eg.
was your father a fireman and wouldn't shut up telling you stories?
Did you want to be a doctor but didn't get the points in the Leaving, so joined the ambos?
Did you get sick of the scumbags robbing your ma :mad:, so joined the Gardai (be honest!) ?

And potential members -- what appeals to you about the job?

eroo

Well,I'd like to join GS because it involoves being out and about;its exciting;camaradaire;career prospects;being able to make a difference by taking down criminals(small and big) and of course...good pay

source

I joined the Gardai, because i was sick of coming into an office every day for crap money and doing the same thing day in and day out......so far i've spent 5 months in Templemore and spent every day in classrooms....not very exciting, but i will be hitting the streets in January, which i am really looking forward to because this is what i really want from the job, maybe not excitement but at least variety and the opportunity to help people.

timmywex

i want to be a paramedic in a few years

ive always been interested in it, the whole idea of it, id get medicine in the leaving i would say if i wanted it but dont!! the idea of rushing to a scene, trying to save someone etc appeals to me, helpong people when they need it etc..

kerrysgold

I'm considering going in for being a paramedic in a few years too because it seems like an exciting and interesting job and I love being out and about, so I'd be interested to hear what attracted current paramedics to the job too.

metman

I joined the police after getting turned off law as a career. When I was younger the Guards hardly ever recruited, and the training allowance they got made it a bleak prospect to go off to Templemore. Time passed, I did other things, and by 26 I was too old to apply.

I moved to London and heard that the police were comparatively well paid, it was viewed as a good career, and had good perks. In dealings I'd had with officers they seemed professional and I was impressed, so it got me thinking. I saw an advert somewhere, maybe on the tube, and figured I'd stick in for it, not really thinking I'd get through the selection process. 18 months later I was attested into the force.....sorry... service.

Generally I like the job, though some days its a pain the backside. Its not all roses as you'd expect, and you need to do your homework before joining. In my class 4 resigned before reaching the end of their probation because the job wasn't what they thought it would be.

If you think it'll be all Third Watch, The Bill or The Shield then you'll be in for a rude awakening. There's no shortage of excitement and adrenaline in a city like London, but the paperwork is a pain and some of the stuff you deal with is griefy and very stressful. However the good jobs....just about make up for the rubbish ones. And that's just on a response team. With an organisation like the the police there's a multitude of squads and jobs; everything from CO19 to Royalty/Diplomatic protection, Mounted Branch to Flying Squad, specialist Public Order units to Antiques Units.

If anyone wants any advice or info on the job here in the UK then gimme a shout.

JonAnderton

Ditto MetMan

(Don't forget to mention the cycle squads and Safer Schools...)

£2000 SPP!

metman

I've just under the 4 year mark so won't get my spp til next year

But it'd take more than 2k to entice me to consider the vital role of schools officer.....the horror :eek:

Dave!

Cheers for the detailed post metman! Very interesting indeed

Tango Alpha 51

I've always wanted to be a paramedic but like metman says it's not all like third watch in the ambo side of things either. You start off with 8-10wks in the National Ambulance Training College in Dublin learning the basics. Then you have another 10-16 wks in clinical placements in various hospitals learning somemore. Then you will have a period of upto 5wks on the road as 3rd person with an expierienced crew observing how things are done. Then you will have a period of up to 7mths working as part of a two person crew. During this time you will have case studies to do & also have to return to the College for 2wks of Pre Hosptial Trauma & Life Support (PHTLS) as well as Paeds course. You will then have to sit your final exams. If you pass all this, you will then be on probation for a yr. After 5yrs you will then become eligible to be considered for going forward for a place on the Advanced Paramedic course.
Would I change careers, hell no. I totally enjoy the job. Be prepared for some long days but no two calls are the same. It's not all about driving around the place on blue lights & sirens & no we don't use the B&T's to get home for lunch.

sandy007

Hi
Well I always wanted to be a firefighter but the oppertunity has only been available to women in the last number of years and after 5 years trying for retained I finally got it,
So looking foward to whats ahead