I AGREE with the firefighters' strike. Forty per cent does seem a lot but the press and media don't tell the full story.

"If the fire brigade get a 40 per cent pay rise then the police, doctors and nurses will want one" it is said. But the fire brigade only want to be paid the same as the police. Forty per cent is the difference, is this so wrong?

If you've ever needed the fire brigade then you will support them and appreciate how much they are worth.

Firefighters attend any incident -- fires, RTAs, cats up trees, flooding and fallen trees. The fire brigade are always first there and there in minutes. The police and medical professions do do a good job, but why can't firefighters be paid the same?

Tony Blair and his government need to look at what firefighters do. If they ever need them then they would appreciate them.

Tony Blair said: "Forty per cent is too much for any government to pay" but if I remember rightly, earlier in the year they gave themselves a 40 per cent pay rise. How much do they earn? Do they go into burning buildings? Do they cut badly injured people out from cars? I don't think so. Lots of people owe their lives to firefighters.

Support your local firefighters they need you. You might need them one day

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