Army to be drafted in if firefighters vote to strike

The military is being called in to cover for an expected strike by firefighters, despite warnings that troops should not be treated as “spare capacity” for a wave of industrial action by public services.

- LIZZIE DEARDEN

The Fire Brigades’ Union (FBU) is balloting more than 33,000 firefighters and control room staff after they rejected a “derisory” 5 per cent increase, with the vote closing on Monday.

Ministers are so certain that firefighters will strike that preparations have already started to organise the deployment of British Army personnel and private contractors. The Independent understands that an RAF base on the outskirts of London will be used for soldiers and fire engines. A further 27 appliances will be seized from the London Fire Brigade to be held at an undisclosed location, and staffed by a private company.

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack told The Independent: “Using untrained armed forces personnel and private contractors to operate highly specialised fire and rescue service appliances and equipment seriously compromises public safety. “The responsibility for this mess lies with government ministers and with fire service employers.”