A FIRE chief is urging people to avoid holding bonfires and firework displays before the weekend - to avoid coinciding with firefighters taking strike action.
The strike is planned for November 1 and they're worried there could be a lack of cover if bonfire and firework displays are held early.
South Yorkshire bosses have admitted the emergency response service will be 'severely reduced' on Friday night when firefighters walk out between 6.30pm and 11pm, as part of a national day of action called by the Fire Brigades Union.
Jamie Courtney, chief fire officer, said he wants fire engines to be kept available for life-threatening calls only during the strikes.
"Don’t hold your bonfire or fireworks display on Friday night," he said. "We’re satisfied with the contingency arrangements we're putting in place but our 999 service will still be severely depleted so we need the public to help keep our fire engines available for real emergencies.
"Our best advice is to either attend an organised, public event or hold your display on another night, following all of our usual advice to make sure bonfires don’t get out of control and incidents are kept low."
A second strike is planned between 6am and 8am on Monday, November 4, in an ongoing dispute over pensions.
