AN AGREEMENT has been reached for Buckinghamshire firefighters to cover during the London Bonfire Night strike if called upon, the Free Press understands.

Conditions have been agreed between senior managers and the Bucks Fire Brigade Union today.

Earlier this week, the union said members were unhappy at the prospect of having to cross the border.

There had been a possibility Bucks FBU members would be balloted over whether to cover the 47 hour strike.

But a possible dispute has been averted following discussions and a deal has been struck.

Bucks firefighters would only get called out to London in extreme circumstances, it is understood.

The Bucks FBU is fully behind the industrial action being taken by its capital counterparts, despite heavy criticism that the timing is 'irresponsible'.

The strike, starting tomorrow, Bonfire Night, was called by London firefighters because of potential 'mass sackings' if they do not sign new contracts changing their shifts.

Speaking on Tuesday, the day after London crews held their first day of strikes, Gordon Richardson, membership secretary of the Bucks FBU, labelled the demands of London fire bosses “disgraceful”.

He said: “We are in full support of their problem. What's happened to them could affect all fire services.

“It's not about shift changes or money or anything like that, it's about the fact that they just issued new contracts and said 'if you don't like it, if you don't sign a new contract on this day it means you've sacked yourself'.”

Calling a strike on Bonfire Night has been heavily criticised for endangering lives.

Traditionally, it is the busiest night for fire services and this year it coincides with the Hindu, Jain and Sikh festival of lights, Diwali.

But Mr Richardson said: “Bonfire night itself is probably one of the quietest nights there is because it's the one time when people are organised.

“There's as much chance of there being problems with youths with fireworks leading up to it as there is on the night itself, unfortunately.”

He said the high profile date had enabled the union to explain to the public the real reasons behind the dispute.

The London Fire Brigade said it is “disappointed that the union has taken this course of action and believe it is badly timed”.

But it concedes on its website that firefighters will “effectively” be dismissed if they choose not to sign the new contracts.

London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority Chairman Brian Coleman called for union bosses to call off the strike and talks were ongoing today, according to reports.

The London strike was called off around 7.45pm (Thursday)