I WOULD like to know just who the people running our fire service think they are, trying to stop concerned firefighters putting across their point on concerns for their own and the public's safety.

As a council tax payer and extremely concerned member of the public I would like to hear these concerns and make up my own mind, thank you!

Regardless of any embarrassment to CFO Holland or Councillor Wilkinson, what don't they want me to hear?

Having seen some recent modernisation of public services I suspect it all boils down to cuts.

They want to take professional firefighters off appliances and have them educate us on fire prevention fire safety. How nice of them!

I take great care to minimise any risk to myself and my family, but should I be unfortunate enough to suffer a serious fire in my home I expect a speedy response from a professional and suitably manned and equipped fire service.

I am all for educating the public (and freedom of speech) but not at the expense of our professional front line service.

J CLAYTON (Mr), Queens Road West, Accrington.