Saving Lives: coping with the emotions of life as a paramedic....

(Broadcast on BBC Radio Stoke, December 2015)

When job vacancies for paramedics are advertised some of the key skills required are listed as "excellent interpersonal skills, common sense, problem solving and the ability to work under pressure".

Not surprising for a profession which is tasked with saving people's lives.

BBC Radio Stoke's EMMA THOMAS has spent a night shift with a Stafford-based crew of the West Midlands Ambulance Service to witness the challenges of the role.

We'll hear some of the most urgent 999 calls they responded to this week.

But, while waiting for their next call out at 2am paramedic CONOR SMITH used to some quiet time to explain how he deals with the emotional side of the job....