Fire chief warns public over strike

Firemen plan two days of industrial action

The head of the Northern Ireland Fire Brigade has written an open letter to the public attempting to address concerns ahead of next week's planned strike.

Firefighters across the UK are due to begin industrial action on Tuesday as part of their campaign for a 40% pay rise.

In the province, about 900 full-time firefighters and 800 part-time or retained officers, who belong to the main union, are planning to take part in the stoppage.

Talks between John Prescott and union leaders aimed at avoiding the strike adjourned without apparent agreement on Friday evening.

Acting Chief Fire Officer Peter Craig: "Public must help"

In his open letter to the people of Northern Ireland, Acting Chief Fire Officer Peter Craig said there was a need for people to be aware of fire risk during what he described as "a challenging and difficult time".

But he said he wanted to assure people that the 999 service would continue to be available for emergencies.

Mr Craig also told the BBC: "There are arrangements in place, but they are not to the same standard that people are used to in Northern Ireland.

"So I would appeal to them to help me.

"We have helped you over the years by being there when we've wanted them. So manage that risk and try to prevent that fire."

In the letter he said: "I am particularly conscious as we approach the first period of industrial action, of the worries and concerns of the people in Northern Ireland.

"This has been evident by the substantial rise in fire safety enquires we have received over the past few days."

'Take precautions'

Mr Craig outlined precautions he said he wanted the public and businesses to take to help reduce the risk of fires.

He added: "Inside the coming days, important and potentially life-saving fire safety advice will be sent to homes and workplaces in Northern Ireland."

Emergency cover backed by the Army will be available from next Tuesday until Thursday.

But there are still concerns about the level of resources available.

Northern Ireland Office Minister Des Browne has met with Fire Brigades Union leaders this week in an attempt to prevent the strike.

Pay review

Fire authority bosses have appealed to rank and file members to postpone the strike until an inquiry, headed by Queen's University vice-chancellor Sir George Bain, into pay and conditions was handed to the government.

But Fire Brigade Union spokesman Jim Barbour said: "This is a cynical ruse by a government trying to subject us to negative spin.

"There's no prospect whatsoever of us falling into the trap of trusting the Bain inquiry."

Union members are demanding a 39% pay rise for firefighters and a 51% increase for control room staff to bring both groups up to a £30,000 a year basic wage.

With only a 4% interim pay increase on offer along with a pledge to implement the inquiry findings, six periods of industrial action lasting up to eight days have been planned between now and Christmas.

It is understood that about 32 army Green Godesses - painted yellow for use in Northern Ireland - and about 150 members of the separate Retained Firefighters Union will be available to respond to emergencies on strike days.