Firefighters set to strike during festive period

Firefighters are set for three days of strikes during the festive period.

The Fire Brigades Union has announced its members will strike on Christmas Eve 7pm to midnight, from 6.30pm on New Year’s Eve until 12.30am on New Year’s Day and 6.30-8.30am on January 3.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service chief fire officer, Andy Fry, said there would be arrangements to provide cover during strike action.

"We will still be answering and responding to 999 calls, although we will be prioritising ‘life critical’ incidents, such as house fires and road traffic collisions where people are trapped,” he said. 

“We are also asking people to reduce demand during the strike period by only calling 999 in a genuine emergency.”