TRAFFORD firefighters are blazing over a decision to remove beds from the borough's stations.

Fire chiefs intend to replace the beds with reclining or easy chairs from September 1.

Jack Grady, the Fire Brigades Union chairman at Sale station, said firefighters were so angry at the move that they could take industrial action.

Beds will be shifted from all Greater Manchester's fire stations, making it the only region in the country to take this step.

Currently firefighters can use beds during their 15-hour night shifts.

But County Fire Officer, Barry Dixon, said: "in a modern fire and rescue service there is no place for beds."

Mr Grady hit back, saying firefighters had not been consulted: "This is a complete waste of time and money.

"Not one life will be saved as a result of this. It is just designed to keep us awake all night.

"I would say that on about 30 per cent of occasions you get to sleep. The rest of the time you are out and about.

"You want to have firefighters who have had sufficient rest and breaks when they go to an incident.

"The public know we rest and understand this. The guys at Sale, Altrincham and Stretford are enraged over this and we are prepared to take industrial action. There is no justification for doing this and it has caused a lot of anger."

Mr Dixon justified the move: "Our priority as a fire and rescue service is to keep our communities safe and we would never take any decisions that could jeopardise public or firefighter safety. We have significant new responsibilities, especially with the threat of terrorism and other risks and I believe in a modern fire and rescue service there is no place for beds. Many of the areas we serve are busy 24 hours a day and there is an opportunity for us, during the night, to carry out relevant community safety work and undertake appropriate training.

"Our firefighters do a fantastic job and there is no doubt that the job can be physically demanding. We are not saying by taking away the beds that firefighters will not be able to rest, it must be stressed that appropriate rest periods will be given during the night shift in line with the national conditions of service."