Firefighters in Swansea have said the vote for the first strike in a quarter of a century in their "fair wage" campaign was the right outcome.

Workers are seeking a 40% pay rise - equivalent to a basic wage of �30,000 a year - but their employers and the government has rejected the claim.

Strike dates

0900 29 October to 0900 31 October (48 hours) 0900 2 November to 0900 4 November (48 hours) 0900 6 November to 0900 14 November (8 days) 0900 22 November to 0900 30 November (8 days) 0900 4 December to 0900 12 December (8 days) 0900 16 December to 0900 24 December (8 days)

A 4% interim pay offer has been put on the table.

The result of the ballot of Fire Brigade members announced on Friday was nine to one in favour of a series of 48-hour strike actions, with the first beginning at 0900 on 29 October and finishing at 0900 on 31 October.

Forty Green Goddesses, manned by armed forces personnel, will be on standby in Wales for use during the strike.

Union leaders called the ballot result a "stunning" response to the refusals to negotiate a claim.

But the FBU has given the government a 10-day "window of opportunity" to resolve the dispute.

Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy said he "deeply regretted" the result of the ballot.

Green Goddesses - Army fire engines - will be called in

In Swansea, Derek Skhane, a firefighter at Morriston for 17 years, said he felt members were committed to pressing home their pay claim.

"I am not at all surprised by the outcome. It is not a victory of any sorts. We are very disappointed we have been forced into this action of last resort.

"I have been to a number demonstrations round the country and feelings have been running high."

We deserve a fair wage for the dangerous job we do

Keith Briskham, firefighter

He warned lives would be at risk in Wales from strike action.

Ted George, a pay negotiator on behalf of the employers' group the Local Government Association, said: "I would echo the call for negotiation."

But he also urged FBU members to wait for the outcome of an independent pay review report, which was being published in December.

After the ballot result, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott was told by fire unions chiefs to "put down his megaphone and pick up the telephone" in order to hold genuine talks.

Our skills have grown immensely since the last strike

Mark Allen, firefighter

Keith Briskham - with 25 years service - said he was also adamant his colleagues were intent on taking their claim to a successful conclusion.

"I agree that this is wretched and wrong. The government has 10 days to sort this mess out."

"I think that over the years, the pay formula has fallen so far behind on our wages. We are a professional body of people. We deserve a fair wage for the dangerous job we do.

Mark Allen, a fireman for 29 years, recalls the last strike in 1977, and said the circumstances now were quite different to the last time the Green Goddesses were called out as cover.

"The feelings now are more intensive. Officers now are all with us. We are all very confident.

"It came out in an independent review that the firefighters were worth 40%, or �30,000 a year.

"We do not just squirt water - we go to fires, road accidents, chemical spills and explosions. "Our skills have grown immensely since the last strike."

He added: "I hope it will be resolved before then. It is a sad day for the fire service."