CONTINGENCY plans are being put into place across Bolton as paramedics, town hall staff and hospitals face the reality of a major firefighters strike.

Emergency planning measures are being drafted with the first proposed 48-hour strike set to start next Monday, with further strikes until December 22.

News that contingency plans are being drawn up was revealed today as firefighters leaders came under pressure to ensure the public was not harmed by the strike action.

The Government has told the Fire Brigades Union it should follow rules drawn up after the 1979 Winter of Discontent aimed at protecting the public from the effects of strikes by public sector workers.

The FBU is set to launch 36 days of strikes between next Tuesday and Christmas Eve as part of a campaign for a 40 per cent pay rise to take salaries to £30,000 a year.

Up to 19,000 members of the Armed Forces will be drafted in to man 840 ageing Green Goddess vehicles to cover for the strikers. However, there is concern that they will not have access to sophisticated firefighting equipment.

The strikes look certain to go ahead despite the Prime Minister saying that the Government could not meet the pay claim because of the likely impact on the economy.

In Greater Manchester specially-trained ambulance staff are being brought in to liaise with the military, police and ambulance crews on the strike dates. But ambulance chiefs are telling staff not to take over the role of firefighters which includes freeing car crash victims.

The GMAS Control Centre has established a special incident desk to enable swift communications during the dispute period and to act as a communication point for all hospitals in Greater Manchester.

A spokesman for the Royal Bolton Hospital said: "We will have a fire response team available. They will just be able to offer site knowledge and guidance to the Army." Escape chutes for patients and staff on first floor wards have been ordered.

A Bolton Council spokesman said all their services and buildings would be running as usual.

Bolton Wanderers have said that home matches would not be affected by the strikes. A spokesman said the modern design of its stadium meant people could escape easily in an emergency.

Unison, Bolton's biggest union, whose members include town hall workers, hospital staff and ambulance crews, is urging local businesses to reassess their fire risk and evacuation procedures.

Tim Carter, from Unison, said: "Unison fully supports the firefighters' strike."

GMAS director of operations, Anthony Marsh, said: "Clearly, this will be a worrying time for everyone. Together with the military, police and hospital medical teams, we will do everything we can to provide our normal service."

Representatives from Bolton Council will be at a Greater Manchester Fire Authority meeting tomorrow and council directors will also hold talks on Thursday.