DO YOU know why your firefighters are striking?

I don't believe enough people do.

It's not because they are after a pay rise, holidays or bonus for every life they save – it is purely for their pensions.

Large amounts of money they have paid in month after month, year after year, money that could have been well spent while raising their children, and now the government want to move the goalposts.

After 30 years service or reaching the age of 55, firefighters have filled their pension pots and have to retire, now the government are forcing them to work until they are 60 with an additional five years of pension payments of which they will never see as the pot is already full.

Apart from the financial implications for firefighters and their families, there are also major safety issue with regards to the public, for instance, can you imagine the thought of five 60-year-old firefighters trying to attempt a house fire rescue, with the threat that they will be sacked if they can’t maintain the fitness level of a 20-year-old? Totally impossible.

This would lead to their pension being frozen until they are 67.

These firefighters put themselves on the line for the safety of others, yet their safety net for retirement is being untied.

There are fewer stations and less firefighters giving them a heavier workload, it can be a dangerous career but very rewarding.

Reward them by giving them the pension that they are entitled to and quite within their rights to enjoy. After all, it is their money.

Distressed firefighter's wife.

Name and address supplied.