... modernisation will kill ...

I actually agree that some modernisation of the fire service is reasonable. It seems to me ridiculous that the fire brigade should have a separate control from the police and ambulance service. There probably are more efficient ways of organising shifts.

However 78% of the budget goes on personnel - and I get the impression that fire engines and modern communication equipment are not that cheap.

Most of the time firemen are not putting out fires - and most of the fires they do put out - are lets face it - small - chip pan fires - rubbish bins - but ...

... on a Sunday morning - when I was - as station manager's clerk - in charge of Paddington Station - the alarm went off - and within minutes - three fire engines turned up - OK - a fire alarm glass had cracked - no problem - but - what if that had been a real fire - then the brigades' prompt action would have saved thousands? - millions? property costs - and probably many lives.

My mother's retirement complex - again false alarm - and once a small fire - quickly put out - but - if the fire had caught - who would have got all the people out????

Fireman are needed for the exception - not the norm. The big fire - the chemical spillage - the multi- car pile up - the flood - need a full team - to deal with the incident - deal with the people - deal with the mess.

To reduce the fire fighting team means - there is less manpower - means less backup to the front line fire fighters - means there is less men to give the front line a rest - means there is more risk to the team - means more risk to the public - more risk to buildings, more risk full stop.

The job has got more complicated - more chemicals - worse traffic conditions - risks of radio-activity - risks of terrorists. And lets face it - the public is less supportive - less aware of what to do in an emergency - its someone else's problem after all - ain't it - and more yobs making - more malicious calls.

The government by making Britain the prime terrorist target - who's going to bomb the US - when you can hit us - and we're not going be able to hit back - like the States - let's face it we can't - we don't have the resources - and George Bush - OK - he will express concern - sorry - but will use the attack as an excuse for his other plans - like attacking Iraq - and controlling their oil - and winning his re-election - and showing he's better than dad - but what he won't do - he won't risk American lives to avenge British deaths.

So why is the government fighting the fire brigade at a time like this - when the risks of a major attack are high - very high.

I believe its partially a cock up. I believe there was a lack of understanding of firemen. I believe the Treasury is playing a game. I believe the firemen were seen as a group easily beatable - to teach the rest of the public sector - not to mess with the big boys. I believe it is Gordon Brown setting up friend Tony - so that he will take damage hits - and Gordon can work towards the goal of - becoming Prime Minister. I believe that the government think they can spin - and spin - and spin - and win.

The agreed 16% pay offer - linked to some cost saving was blocked in July - this is the only reason the strike is on.

Now the game seems to be to hit the brigade hard. To win a battle with the union. To show who is boss. To force a severe reduction in manpower. This plan needs to be costed. Not only in money terms but ...

... how many firemen's lives, lost, are acceptable for the cost savings?

......................how many public lives, lost, are acceptable for the cost savings?