Sirens and stereotypes

Channel four's six-part series, Sirens, first aired in June of this year and has just come to an end. It is understood that another series is being planned. Billed as a comedy drama, the three key characters star as a team of world weary paramedics repeatedly required to deal with humankind at its stupidest. The programme was created by Brian Fillis and inspired by EMT and rapid responder Tom Reynolds’ book, Blood, Sweat and Tea (Reynolds, 2006). Brian Kellett wrote the book under the pseudonym about life in the London Ambulance Service. The book covers Reynolds’ career from 2003–2006. In his writing, Reynolds is often highly critical of a number of NHS policies and management. Blood, Sweat and Tea (with its associated blog) is now cited in the NHS's own guidelines on staff blogging.

The work the trio undertake is a play on the work undertaken by paramedics in real life. There are many elements of clinical practice that are interesting to watch as the three paramedics all strive to get through another tour of duty. In preparing to undertake their various roles, the actors spent some time researching the roles (including a night out on duty with an EMT).