WITH reference to the firefighters' strike.

Firstly I do not agree that they should be demanding such a high rise. How can they demand such a large increase in one go? Forty per cent is ludicrous and unjustified and, as for putting their lives on the line, well maybe they do. But it's very rare. There is more chance of being killed whilst at work being a truck driver.

But the thing that I find very hard to swallow is that the support services cannot use the equipment that is owned by the very people they are trying to protect. If the firefighters want to be treated like the professionals they claim to be, then they shouldn't be on strike.

If it is such a poorly paid job, why is there such a long list of people waiting to join the sevice and why can the service demand the best applicants?

Kevin Deighan

Bolton