IF you were in a car accident and had to be cut out by our wonderful firemen like I was, no wage would be too high for them. People say they are only doing their job; but would you like your husband or son constantly risking their lives? I wouldn't.

It did not take my accident to make me realise how fantastic all our emergency services are.

It is sickening they have to go through all this. The last thing they want is to put people's lives at risk.

Joan Roberts,

Queen Anne's Road,

Bootham, York.

...I WOULD like to thank Rory Palmer for the letter supporting our firefighters (November 16). As for R D Watson, do some research before putting pen to paper.

My son is a retained firefighter and one day hopes to become full-time. They do a wonderful job day and night, hail, rain or snow, thinking of others and not themselves.

Even if you do not think they are worth 40 per cent, please support them.

P Beech,

The Paddock,

Boroughbridge Road, York.

...SO the firefighters are striking for their greedy 40 per cent pay rise. They think the public are behind them; well I'm one who isn't.

Yes, they do a difficult and dangerous job - on occasions - and deserve a pay rise, as do service personnel, medical personnel, council workers, single parents, senior citizens and so forth.

Why do they feel they are a special case? And why 40 per cent and not the 11 per cent over two years for which those others mentioned above would be extremely grateful?

Come on firefighters, get real. You are attempting to hold the public to ransom; how many people will have to lose their homes and probably their lives before you see sense and persuade your greedy union to return to the negotiating table?

AW Webster,

Stablers Walk,

Earswick,

York.

Updated: 11:11 Wednesday, November 20, 2002