THE Fire Brigades Union launched a national safety campaign yesterday in a bid to highlight the possible risk faced by businesses and industry if firefighters go on strike.
The result of a ballot on industrial action is expected on Saturday, October 18.
But, in the meantime, the union has launched its new initiative in an effort to encourage businesses to examine their own health and safety and fire procedures.
The launch at Billingham Fire Station, Teesside, coincided with the eve of the anniversary of a fire at the Wilton ICI plant, on October 9, 1995.
The largest, post-war fire in Europe, it was tackled by the Cleveland Fire Brigade - but union chiefs are worried something similar would be too much for any force called in to cover if firefighters vote for a strike.
Cleveland branch chairman Keven Gelders said: "If something like the ICI Wilton fire happens if we are on strike, it could have devastating results.
"We are conscious it would be our decision to go on strike and we do not want to scare people, but we would like to ask them to take the necessary safety precautions."
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