GREEN Goddesses are again on stand-by after the latest round of pay talks between Buckinghamshire's firefighters and their employers ended in a stalemate.

Archaic replacement fire engines manned by army personnel are poised for action with 24-hour strike action pending from 9am this morning.

Senior firefighters could not break the deadlock when they met for last-minute show-down talks in London on Friday afternoon.

Danny Whitelock, secretary for Bucks Fire Brigades Union and a High Wycombe-based firefighter, told Midweek firemen were desperate to avoid further strike action but felt they had been given little option.

He said: "We have cancelled and suspended so many rounds of contract talks. At every meeting the offer presented to the brigade has been worse than the one before.

"Now we have been offered a deal which is non-negotionable. We feel as though we've been pushed into a tight corner. The only way to get out is to take action."

A further two strikes of 48-hour duration have also been planned, the first between January 28 and 29, the second between February 1 and 2.

Buckinghamshire's chief fire officer, Jeff Goddard, has appealed to members of the public to be extra vigilant during the strikes, and has been working with local authorities and agencies to force this message home.

About 10,000 leaflets have been circulated to businesses, organisations, schools and community groups advising people how to prepare for impending action.

He said: "The main advice is quite simple. In the event of a fire in your home, get out, stay out and call 999. In the absence of the regular fire service the fire cover during strike periods will be aimed at saving lives, but it will be little more than a safety net."

The union, which is seeking a new pay rate of £30,000 a year, previously rejected a four per cent improvement offer.

The advice line set up by Buckinghamshire Fire Authority is 01296 424666

January 21, 2003 10:00