Local authority employers have warned of widespread inconvenience and disruption as result of the firefighter strikes.
· The Ministry of Defence has put 19,000 troops on standby to cover for striking firemen. The MoD admits that it will only be able to provide a "very basic service".
· 19 London Underground stations, that are served only by lifts and not escalators, will close.
· Airports will operate as usual because they have their own fire service which is not involved in the dispute.
· Hospitals have set up emergency teams to release crash victims from vehicles - a job normally carried out by firefighters.
· The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, which is in charge of contingency plans, has urged the public to continue to call 999 in the event of fire throughout the strike action.
· The ambulance service is always much busier than the fire service on bonfire night. However, many firework displays scheduled for the weekend of November 2 and 3 are still likely to cancelled for fear of the lack of safety cover.
