Firefighters across Wales have begun a 48-hour strike in support of their 40% pay claim.

Police and the military are providing a stand-in fire service for the duration of the strike - expected to the first of a series as the dispute continues.

Forty ageing Ministry of Defence Green Goddess fire engines have been deployed to cover for the more than 200 modern machines used by Wales' three fire services.

A number of retained firefighters are working as normal but the fire service is urging people to do as much as they can to reduce the risk of fire and accidents which would require the help of highly-trained fire officers.

The Green Goddesses, last seen on the streets 25 years ago, are being deployed from three special command centres in the north, south, and west.

The strike will is set to continue until 1800 GMT on Friday.

We are just waiting anxiously

Supt Neil Jellings, South Wales Police

Senior military and fire officials will decide which emergency calls will be answered. They fear that some buildings will be left to burn.

However, serving fire officers in Merthyr Tydfil who were called out minutes before the UK-wide industrial action began are attending a blaze as normal.

The crew were applauded by their colleagues as they set off from the station three minutes before 1800 GMT on Wednesday to attend a car fire between Dowlais Top and Abergavenny.

Brigadier Robert Aitken, the man responsible for the Army in Wales, said his staff would do their best to cope.

"We will be providing a limited emergency fire cover throughout the whole of Wales and we will do that to the very best of our abilities," he said.

Brigadier Aitken : providing emergency cover

"But no-one is pretending that it is going to be as good as what the regular firefighters could provide if they weren't on strike."

Police are similarly concerned. Superintendent Neil Jellings, of South Wales Police, admitted he and his officers were "apprehensive".

He added : "Clearly there is not the cover that there would be with the fire brigade there, and we are just waiting anxiously for six o'clock tonight."

The public is being urged to take extra care to minimise the dangers and prevent fires as the Green Goddesses lack speed, specialised equipment and fully-trained personnel.

Police patrols

The improvised firefighting operation will be controlled from command centres in Bridgend, Colwyn Bay and Carmarthen with RAF personnel manning the machines.

Green Goddesses despatched on 999 calls will be accompanied by police patrols, but RAF teams will only be sent out to fires when lives are at risk.

Despite sleeping on the deadlock, the two sides involved in the dispute have remained as far from an agreement as ever.

This will be the first firefighters' strike to hit the UK for 25 years.

Army staff will staff the Green Goddesses

Rank-and-file fire officers have said they have no option but to strike.

Fire Brigades Union representative Neil MacPherson said the union anticipated that the government would stick to the recommendations of the independent review headed by Sir George Bain.

He dismissed claims his members had rejected an 11% pay offer.

"We haven't been offered 11% - we've been offered 4% this and 7% next year, which we could have arrived at through the normal negotiating procedures," he told BBC Wales.

In case of fire

Get out Call 999 Stay out

"Coupled to that, there are strings attached to the offer which would result in fewer firefighters and a greater risk to the public.

"We had no option but to reject that offer."

He said there was "sadness" among firefighters that they had been forced into tacking industrial action.

"It's something that we have tried to avoid all along - something that every firefighter does reluctantly.

"But unfortunately due to the attitude of both the employers and the government we have been left with no choice in this matter."

Mike Smith, of the executive council for Wales for the Fire Brigades Union, said the union had grave doubts that Sir George was truly independent of the government.

Common causes of fire

Unattended cooking Unsafe use of candles and nightlights Children playing with matches and lighters Smoking in bed

He said rank-and-file fire officers would leave their posts on Wednesday evening with 'very heavy hearts'.

"They are very angry with what has happened and the way that George Bain has rubbished the fire service."

Wales's three fire service have each issued a telephone number people can ring for more information on how to protect themselves:

Mid and West Wales 24-hour helpline - 01267 223044/229286.

South Wales Fire Service home safety helpline - 0800 328 1830.

North Wales Community Fire Safety Team - 01745 343431.

What do you think about the fire strike?

Are firefighters right or wrong to take industrial action for the first time in 25 years?

Tell us what you think.

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It is a disgrace that the firefighters are willing to put innocent lives on the line for better pay. I firmly believe that they should receive a fair wage but how will they justify their actions to a mother or father who has just lost their children in a fire? Not one of my friends and colleagues support the strike in any way! The fire fighters really are not doing themselves any favours.
Adrian Smith, Wales

40% pay when they only work for 5% of their shift- and should they really put themselves in so much danger- risk assessment and all that. If someone dies when the fire service's presence could avoid it- I'm afraid they will never get my support
Nick, Wales

How much are firefighters and emergency control staff worth? Why not ask one of the thousands of people this year who have been helped by the fire service, either through being rescued by firefighters, or by being given life saving advice when trapped in a blazing house by emergency control room staff. Those people, I am sure, would say that we are worth far more than �30K. It is only those who are fortunate enough, so far, not to have needed to have called upon the assistance of the fire service who state that we are paid enough already. I'm sure their opinion would soon change if they were the person needing our help. We have not taken the decision to strike lightly. We will end up with significantly reduced pay packets over the Christmas season. Fire Control Officer from South Wales Fire Service
Catherine, Wales

If firefighters are so badly paid, why do 40 people apply for every vacancy in the fire service?
Chris Jones, UK

I think it's ridiculous how they're not accepting the new pay rises, and saying it's not enough. Anyone in their right mind would accept any pay rise, especially without putting the country at risk.
Dan, North Wales

Is it the government's intention to bring the fire service into line with other services such as the police or health, so that when you dial 999 to report a fire, you will either get an appointment in a week's time, or be given a number to pass on to your insurance company.
Carol Burns, UK

I don't believe they have any real public support over this. The papers will be sitting in wait for the first death 'due to the strike' and the firefighters will be deemed to be evil all over the tabloids.
Barry, Wales

Although many people may support the firefighters, it will take one fatality for this to turn against the service. Negotiation - not threatening behaviour - is the only justified way forward. Over the next two days the risk to life is significantly increased as we travel to work, whilst in work and at home. We all hope that this action does not cause loss of life to the young or elderly. Furthermore, should a terrorist attack be imminent in the UK surely this means a significant requirement for the support of all service staff.
Russell Davies, Swansea

Firefighters are just being greedy, yes the do a job which involves dangers of a serious kind, but no less than someone in the armed forces, no less than the police, nurses, teachers, and if one lot gets it the rest should to but wait then the tax rise to pay for it would cancel out the rise wanted anyway
Nick, UK

They should not go on strike as the present offer is fair. The army should also be allowed to use their appliances while they are on strike.
Mrs Hughes, Wrexham

Demanding a 40% pay-rise is not realistic. If granted all other sectors of public service will demand the same level of pay resulting in rampant inflation.
J Bromfield, Swansea

I agree that they should go on strike. They fully deserve the wage rise.
Brian Jones, Wrexham

I wholeheartedly agree with the firemen's demand for higher wages. I agree that they should go on strike.
Angharad Powell of Rhos on Sea