Part-time firefighters are calling for an alternative to the 36 days of strike action voted for by their full-time colleagues.

The Retained Firefighters' Union (RFU) said it wanted more money for its 4,000 members, but did not believe firefighters should strike.

On Friday, full-time firefighters voted to walk out for a series of six national strikes - the first for 25 years.

At a two-day weekend conference the RFU is calling for firefighters to co-operate with an independent inquiry set up by the government and reach a negotiated settlement.

The last thing they [RFU members] want is blood on their hands

Colin Ive, RFU president

RFU president Colin Ive told the BBC: "We fundamentally support the principle of increased pay for firefighters ... what we object to is the method - the strike method is not the right way."

He called the FBU's demand for a 40% wage rise "incredible" and accused the union of letting down its members by failing to negotiate wage rises over the last 25 years.

"The last thing they [RFU members] want is blood on their hands," he added.

First walkout

But an Fire Brigades Union (FBU) official said retained firefighters would not be able to provide adequate cover during the strike.

"If anyone is hoping that will happen they are living in cloud cuckoo land," he added.

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)

The 50,000 members of the FBU voted nine to one in favour of action.

The first walkout will begin next Tuesday, 29 October, and last for 48 hours. Others will stretch to as much as eight days, with one ending on Christmas Eve and another the day before Bonfire Night.

'Heavy heart'

The army - backed by smaller numbers of Royal Navy and RAF personnel - is on standby to provide cover with their 827 ageing 'Green Goddess' fire engines.

Firefighters are demanding a 40% pay rise, which would see salaries for fully qualified staff rise to about �30,000.

Their local authority employers have rejected the demand and are offering a 4% increase as part of an interim deal.

Most of those voting for action said they had done so with a "heavy heart", feeling they had no other choice.

Robert Hines, 49, from Wimbledon, south London, a firefighter for 24 years, said it was time to end poor pay rates in the service.

"Many young people in the fire service can't afford a mortgage because they earn so little. We really need to sort this out once and for all," he said.

Firefighter Robert Hines: "Must sort this out"

The government's independent review on pay is not scheduled to report until December.

Local authority employers said they were "incredulous" that the union had voted to strike now, rather than wait for the outcome of the review.

Fire Service Minister Nick Raynsford called the FBU's decision to strike "wretched and wrong", with lives potentially being "put in peril".

There are only 827 Green Goddesses in the UK

Speaking on BBC News 24, he said: ""I myself have a lot of sympathy for firefighters and believe it is right that their case for a pay review should be properly considered."

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott condemned the strike, calling it "dangerous and damaging".

Householders will be warned to be extra vigilant during the strikes because of the limited fire and rescue cover the military will be able to offer.

The impact of the strike away from emergency incidents is likely to be minimal. Only London Underground is predicting significant disruption as it is being forced to close 19 stations on strike days.