THESE are unhappy and worrying times. As the feature on this page reveals, North Yorkshire councils are planning for the worst in the light of the Prime Minister's warnings of a heightened terror threat.

And tonight, firefighters start a strike that is as unnecessary as it is dangerous.

Firefighters won the argument long ago. Everyone accepts that their pay has fallen behind, and they deserve an increase.

No one doubts their courage, skill and commitment. Those of us with safe, comfortable jobs consider with awe the firefighter's ability to walk into a burning building or cut free an injured road crash victim from a car leaking petrol.

But the moment the firefighters demanded a one-off, 40 per cent pay rise, public sympathy began to wane.

In an age of minimal inflation this is a fantasy figure. Local government could never afford it.

The only way forward was negotiation. Until this week, it looked increasingly hopeful that a negotiated settlement was on its way. Then Sir George Bain recommended that the firefighters receive 11 per cent over two years, accompanied by a changes in working practices.

Most people, with the glaring exception of MPs and fat cat company bosses, would be happy with an 11 per cent rise.

But the firefighters believe it does not restore the erosion in their pay. The union should have continued to press this case around the table.

Instead, firefighters are going on strike, putting lives at risk.

Green Goddesses have a top speed of 35 mph, bear no cutting equipment and carry ladders that only go as high the second floor of a house. Everyone is left to fear what would happen if a member of their family was involved in a fire or road accident in the next 48 hours.

Public support for the firefighters had already dropped below 50 per cent. The men and women gathering around the braziers tonight should realise that their support will further decline with every day - and tragic incident - of this misguided strike.

Updated: 11:34 Wednesday, November 13, 2002