Firefighters have always had a service specific pension scheme that took account of their job requirements. Now the government are moving the goalposts and requiring them to work beyond an age where they can remain match fit. What seems a good deal for the government is not a good deal for the public as in outcome it will affect firefighter’s ability to carry out the role the public want. Don’t blame the firefighters – it is an intransigent government intent on reducing public services that are to blame. Firefighters may appear to be solely protecting their conditions of service, but that is a simplistic view as they are also protecting us and the level of service they currently provide. If only their senior managers would speak out in support then this may prevent strike action because then the whole fire service would join with the majority of the public in the call for the LibDem supported Tory government to listen to firefighter’s arguments.