FIREFIGHTERS across the county are being set a huge moral dilemma should they go on strike in order to win a decent living wage?

The stalemate in wage rise negotiations between the Fire Brigades Union and the employers has forced a grim situation on men and women who daily risk their lives to protect the public.

Anyone who does the job is in it because of a tremendous sense of public duty. Turning their back on that duty in favour of striking for more pay goes totally against that duty but they appear to have little choice.

We are talking about family men who are earning less than £21,000. They are encouraged to live near fire stations in some of the most expensive towns in the south west.

They do jobs that pile stress and family pressures on top of rigorous training, unsocial hours and a very real risk to their health and safety.

They are expected to remain in prime physical condition, in their own time and often at their own expense.

In every sense they are public heroes and yet when it comes to pay they are treated like second class citizens. It is any wonder the fire brigade has an on-going struggle to recruit?

A strike would be a disaster for the brigade and the country.

Stations would be split down the middle between those who feel strong enough to down tools and those whose morals or financial situation will just not allow it.

There is also the risk of antagonism between the full-time staff and the retained part-timers who could be called in to cover during a strike.

Worse still, it could force many of the skilled men and women of the county's brigade to give up the job they love.

Not because it is dangerous, not because they don't care about public safety but because they cannot afford to live.

That is not right. The fire employers owe it to their staff, and to all of us, to find a solution before the strike ballot is taken and it is all too late.