Representatives of Bermuda’s five uniformed services highlighted the benefits, practicalities and harsh realities of working in their respective fields as part of a government recruitment drive.

Officers of the Bermuda Police Service, Royal Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service, Department of Corrections and Customs Department each gave presentations on the mission of each service, the requirements and application process, and provided insights to their work.

Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security, gave an opening address to the audience of about 60 at Victor Scott Primary School in Pembroke, which included about 20 representatives from the services.

He described Bermuda’s uniformed services as “the backbone of our island’s safety and security”.

Mr Weeks said that they “offer stable careers, personal growth and a chance to make a real difference in our community.”

Antoine Davis, a sergeant for the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service, introduced each of the representatives at the event which was also attended by Assistant Commissioner of Police Martin Weekes and Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Lamb, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of National Security.

Major Dwight Robinson, the RBR’s regimental career management officer, said becoming a soldier affords people numerous opportunities such as gaining critical life skills and enjoying overseas travel.

He said the regiment works with multiple agencies and added: “It is a very broad spectrum that you have to be trained for and we like to say that we are ready to answer Bermuda’s call, irrespective of what the challenge is.”

As well as providing hurricane relief in Bermuda, the regiment’s other roles include its coastguard, force protection, ceremonial support, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and international assistance.

“Our work does not stop here at our borders,” Major Robinson added.

He said the regiment works, operates and trains in other jurisdictions including, in the past, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Germany, Hong Kong and Canada.

All soldiers are paid during their service to the regiment.

While the last day for recruitment for the next cohort is on Sunday, the process can be completed quickly. Interested parties should apply at their earliest convenience.

Sharmette Pond, the Assistant Collector of Customs, said the customs department is responsible for facilitating legitimate trade, assessing and collecting government revenue as well as interdicting drugs and other contraband.

She said there is a shortage of staff at the department, which is made up of 220 employees.

Ms Pond added: “We do a lot of work on behalf of other government departments so that makes us very unique.”

She said the department is looking for trainee customs officers who will have the opportunity to climb the ranks.

Ms Pond showed photographs of officers carrying out tasks including examining baggage at the airport arrivals hall, performing an X-ray and a “rummage” search on an Air Canada flight.

Leonard Davis, a divisional officer for the BFRS, said the service’s duty is to protect lives and property in case of fire.

BFRS is responsible for firefighting, emergency medical response, extrication and rescue, hazardous material response, building safety and fire investigations.

His colleague Rashé Hodsoll, an emergency medical services officer, said much of the work of the fire service is medical related with training including a 16-week hybrid course with overseas partners and 60 hours on a clinical ambulance.

“It is very challenging but very rewarding,” she added.

Ms Hodsall answered a question about how staff are able to cope in stressful situations.

“We see a lot,” she said. “It does take its toll. It is important you do self-care,” she said, citing the service’s counselling programme.

Shannon DeRoza, a divisional officer at the Department of Corrections, said there is a misconception that corrections officers “just turn the key and that’s it”.

“There is so much more engagement in our roles as officers,” he said.

The mission statement is to protect the public and provide rehabilitative services.

Mr DeRoza referenced the Right Living House which provides drug rehabilitation programmes.

He spoke of positive programmes that help inmates including one project where they fixed broken bicycles, which were then donated to a school.

Mr DeRoza said: “It is our duty as corrections officers to try to help these guys find that light bulb that goes off and have them say hey, I can live a better life on the outside.”

He added: “You maintain the safety and security so nobody escapes and no one gets hurt. You have to be diligent in your awareness of what is going on around you.”

Inspector Derrick Golding of the Bermuda Police Service said the BPS is likely the most visible of all of the services based on staffing numbers and the number of roles the service plays.

He explained: “You have to be dedicated to public service. Integrity and ethics are huge for us.

“Communication skills are big because you are communicating with people all the time and we have a diverse community we are dealing with.

“Problem solving and critical thinking — police officers have to make decisions on the fly very quickly. We have to respond to emergencies, respond to incidents of crime …

“We have to have physical and mental resilience.

“There is community engagement and empathy, and we have to be adaptable and work as a team.”

He said characteristics of the role include leadership and accountability, while a knowledge of the law and procedures are essential. Conflict resolution is also an important skill.

Specialist areas include firearms, roads policing, investigative, police support, K9 and forensics.

Training can take place locally and overseas, he said.

The starting salary is competitive, at between $76,055 and $96,526.

Phased recruitment processes for the services include testing, medical examinations, psychological tests and interviews.

• For more information, visitwww.gov.bm/uniformedservices