A FAMILY spent an unconventional day together by working on the same ambulance shift.

Jordan Clarke-Rivers, 19, joined her mum Joanne and dad Jim as they took to the Essex roads responding to emergencies.

The teenager started working at the East of England Ambulance Service control centre in Chelmsford in November.

Jordan, who lives with her family in Hordon-on-the-Hill, said: “We’ve grown up knowing our parents have always been paramedics but when I actually went out with them I realised it’s a lot different to how I imagined.

“They are very sympathetic with elderly people and people who really need an ambulance.

“It was lovely to see them being that caring towards others. I’m really proud of them.”

She believes the experience of seeing emergency response first-hand will help her during her regular duties handling 999 calls.

Jordan added: “When you are on the phone you just have to imagine what’s going on. Out on the road you see the other side of it. It makes it more real.”

Dad Jim Rivers has been a paramedic since 1980.

He normally works alone in a response car but occasionally does ambulance shifts with wife Joanne.

Jim said: “It was nice to be out on the road with both of them. Jordan saw the other side of it.

“Afterwards, she became so appreciative and understanding of the kind of work we do.

“She saw that we do a good job and realised that we’re not quite the daft parents she thought we were!”

Joanne Clarke-Rivers, a paramedic since 1988, said: “Some patients were surprised that mum, dad and daughter had gone into the same career.

“Jordan thoroughly enjoyed it and there was a job that touched her heart, but thankfully she didn’t see anything horrific.

On working with Jim, Joanne added: “We usually have a good day together. A lot of people wouldn’t be able to tolerate working with their other half but we get on well.”