'Nuisance calls' soar in fire strike

There has been an increase in car fire call-outs

A record number of 'nuisance calls' were received by emergency services on the first day of a strike by Merseyside firefighters, it has been revealed.

Hundreds of calls were made after a mass walkout by members of the Fire Brigade's Union (FBU) at 0900 BST on Friday, a fire service spokesman confirmed.

The first 24 hours of Operation Fresco would have tested any fire service

Chief Fire Officer Malcolm Saunders

The armed forces and their Green Goddess fire engines have returned to the streets of Merseyside for the first time in five years to provide cover during the eight-day strike.

Over 1,000 Merseyside firefighters are protesting over plans to recruit civilian staff to posts previously reserved for experienced firefighters.

The spokesman said it would normally receive between 30 and 50 calls on a Friday but dealt with 300 calls in the first 24 hours of the strike.

"The pattern and type of calls also shows a huge increase in malicious and nuisance calls, rubbish fires and car fires," he said.

Firefighters' protest

Chief Fire Officer Malcolm Saunders said: "The first 24 hours of Operation Fresco would have tested any fire service and I am delighted that the contingency planning put in place by the service in partnership with the police and ambulance and armed forces paid off."

Hundreds of striking firefighters marched through the centre of Liverpool on Friday over the recruitment changes.

Green Goddesses travel at about 35mph

Fire chiefs hope the changes will encourage more women and people from ethnic minorities to the service.

But almost 83% of Merseyside's 1,400 officers voted for the stoppage.

Military staff and police have set up a joint-control centre at Merseyside Police's Canning Place headquarters to deal with calls while the strike continues.

Most of those taking part are trained firefighters from the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.

Police officers will escort the goddesses - which travel at about 35mph - to incidents in a bid to ensure efficiency and safety.

Pay threat

Green Goddesses were last used during a firefighters' strike in Essex three years ago.

Armed forces staff tackled fires on Merseyside during the previous firefighters' strike, which started in 1995 and lasted for nine months.

But this time the fire authority is threatening to take money from strikers to pay for the armed forces' emergency cover.

Mr Saunders estimates the net cost at about £1m - almost £1,000 for every firefighter.

Les Skarratts, Merseyside secretary of the Fire Brigade Union, said: "The only contribution the fire authority is making to the dispute is to threaten our members and try to inflame the situation."