Workers do sleep on the job

I must respond to a recent letter in the Star headlined "Fire crews rarely get full nights sleep".

Ms Laura Hudson obviously works in the control room and I have some previous experience in that department.

Whilst operation fire-fighters are allowed to "sleep" in provided beds (a long-established perk of the job) control staff are not allowed this benefit.

It is a well know fact all control staff "get their heads down" during the night shift, using their own sleeping equipment. I challenge anyone to contradict this.

Of course, during any emergency call the control staff respond and this can result in disturbed sleep.

I would however add they are extremely well paid for this inconvenience, with the added opportunity to work overtime at premium rates of pay.

Perhaps this was evident in the advert in last week's Shropshire Star for a control operator. This is the only advert I have yet to see without any mention of remuneration.

Peter Jones, Shrewsbury