Debate on work of fire service

Laura Hudson, who has, in her words, a cushy, well-paid job in the in the control room with the fire service (I won't argue with that) wishes to set me straight regarding operational fire fighters.

First, she says they are permitted to sleep when on night duty. My understanding is that the service said getting rid of beds was part of a modernisation process to ensure crews spent time when they were not responding to emergencies training.

On a 15-hour night shift, firefighters are allotted time to rest between emergencies and their training drills.

They are allowed to put their heads down for up to three hours, but they are not allowed to nod off - Shropshire Fire Service doesn't want to do it and still operates the archaic shift system where they sleep, fully refreshed to do their second jobs.

Her remark that its budget is small compared to the police is rather stupid. It is also small compared to the armed forces and the NHS.

It is about how you spend that budget and if it is good value to the taxpayer.

In my paper last week, a report said the fire service sent three fire engines and a rescue boat to save a trapped duck, and one crew from Rugby had to travel 35 miles. Not good value, but typical.

She says the response time is one minute. I would be well impressed to see a firefighter who is fast asleep in his comfy bed get up, go downstairs, (no pole now, too dangerous for them) and be out of the door in less than a minute.

P Johnston, Shrewsbury