FIREFIGHTERS from across North Yorkshire descended on Northallerton today as the county's fire authority discussed the possibility of cuts.

At least one representative from every fire station in North Yorkshire was expected to attend the meeting, with the authority looking to make savings of nearly £1 million, according to firemen.

One firefighter from York fire station, who did not want to be named, warned if job cuts were implemented it could lead to a national strike.

He said: "We are told they have to save £800,000 but have so far managed to save £200,000, and that is including job cuts."

He said if redundancies were introduced there would be a "real possibility" of a national ballot to gauge support for a strike backing the county's firemen.

"It would be terrible, but that is our policy," he said.

He said: "We are going to Northallerton to view a new banner for North Yorkshire's Fire Brigades Union branch because we are not allowed to make comment or demonstrate. It just so happens it coincides with the meeting.

"But we will have more viewings of the banner open to more firefighters as the year progresses. They may just happen to coincide with fire authority meetings."

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said today there was no "gagging order".

As revealed in the Evening Press, firefighters in the county could start charging for some call-outs under plans to be considered at today's meeting.

If approved, the firefighters will charge for assisting in animal rescues, flooding incidents or patching up damaged property, generating more than £20,000 for the county's service.

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