Sorry but I do not feel at all reassured by a process of debate taking place by the striking firefighters as to whether they think an incident merits sufficient importance for them to abandon the picket line and attend...A proper and responsble fire service should be operationaly ready and willing to attend calls at all times without question...as was proven by the delay this evening after the first strike ended in the army not being able to hand back cover to the brigades until they had carried out normal equipment checking procedures...picketing fireman cannot be properly ready with all equipment and appliances checked to respond to emergency call out...When a fire or road traffic accident occurs seconds count...the brigade need to be on their way as soon as they are called by control...Sorry chaps the cover of the fire service isnt a service that can be withdrawn at the whim of militant union leaders....protecting life is far too important..