WARNINGS have been given that fire-fighting cover in Ryedale could be affected if a national strike goes ahead.

A ballot is due to be held on Friday but the outcome will not be known until October 18.

Terry Glover, spokesman for North Yorkshire Fire Brigade, said contingency plans were being made.

"What is paramount is that we safeguard the people and property in North Yorkshire," he said.

Mr Glover added that the brigade was embarking on an education programme to give advice to the public in the event of a strike going ahead.

The Ministry of Defence has made preparations to send 50 army fire engines - the Green Goddesses - to Catterick Garrison, which will be used to provide emergency cover across the region, including Ryedale, should industrial action take place.

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Defence said: "Contingency plans are in place if the strike goes ahead."

Mr Glover said there may be sufficient firefighters at Ryedale's stations which were not involved in the union action who could provide firefighting cover.

"But we are not relying on that," he added.

The only full-time station in Ryedale is at Malton, with retained firefighters at Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside, Pickering, and Sherburn.

North Yorkshire's fire chief, Eric Clarke, warned that people could lose their lives in the county if the strike goes ahead.

Rural areas could be particularly exposed, he said, because of a lack of specialist equipment and manpower.

He said: "North Yorkshire has one of the highest road traffic accident rates in the country. The emergency cover will not be adequate enough to respond as quickly and effectively as we do now. If a fire does occur during the strike, people are not going to get the same level of attention and expertise.

"There are not sufficient numbers of vehicles and equipment available outside the fire brigade."

Andy Gilchrist, of the Fire Brigade Union, said it was the voice of some 90pc of all firemen.

He said the government's alternative plans for fire cover were "wholly inadequate", adding: "It should be concentrating its resources on settling this dispute."

John Mitchell, secretary of the region's Fire Brigade Union, defended the need for firefighters to consider strike action, saying that many could not afford to live in the areas where they work.

He said: "The Government has had a first class fire service on the cheap for years as a result of firefighters being paid the wrong rate for the job.

"Firefighters are neither greedy nor are they the enemy - they are the people who turn up to help the public when they are in danger or need help."

He added: "Our pay needs to reflect the wide range of skills and qualities we need today.

"We have been patient for over 25 years about the declining rates of pay and lack of recognition for our professionalism.

"We wanted to agree the correct level of pay through negotiation, but now appear to have no choice other than to take national strike action to secure fair and professional pay levels."

Mr Mitchell also warned that members of the army could only provide a skeleton cover during any future strike.

He said: "The Green Goddesses will obviously not be as quick or effective as our modern fire engines.

"We've just got to hope a realistic offer comes in - a strike is still avoidable."

Updated: 09:10 Wednesday, September 25, 2002