PLAY SAFE DURING STRIKE

THE PUBLIC have been warned to act with caution and care when the fire brigades strike next week.

The brigade say that while they will do everything they can to minimise the crisis, they do urge people to play safe, even if that means cutting down on car journeys.

During the strikes, the first of which begins on Tuesday and ends on Thursday, there will only be 40 Green Goddesses available for Wales, compared to the 205 fire appliances the country currently has.

Richard Hammond, station union representative at Morriston Fire Station, told the Guardian that the firefighters have every sympathy with the soldiers who will be carrying out the emergency services.

He said: “Even though the soldiers will be trained, they will not have the same equipment available as regular firefighters, including tools to cut people from cars which have been involved in road accidents.

“The ambulance drivers and paramedics have been trained how to do this, in case of an emergency. Our advice to the public is, if your journey is not absolutely essential, do not make it.”

Every department at Carmarthenshire Council is on standby to help ensure vital services are not affected, emergency ;

Planners have met with heads of service and have put measures in place to help cope with major incidents.

These include road traffic accidents where clean-up operations are needed, flooding where water needs to be pumped out of properties, chemical spill on roads and shores and making buildings safer after fire.

Emergency planning officer, Richard Elms said: “People will be asked to take particular care to prevent fires and accidents during this period, as the normal standard of response will not be present.

“Potentially hazardous work will not be carried out on the days when strike action is being taken.”

He added: “Departments are putting in place plans and strategies to deal with any problems which could arise.”