Firemen banned in bird flu alert

FIREFIGHTERS in the West Midlands said today they had been told to stop attending incidents involving birds as fears grew over avian flu.

Firemen claimed the bird ban had been announced to all stations just days after the first case of the deadly H5N1 virus was discovered in France.

Deputy chief fire officer Vijith Randeniya told staff in the leaked memo: "We are not to attend any calls to stranded or distressed birds even if requested by the RSPCA."

The move could mean crews refusing to attend fires at pet shops and farms and homes with aviaries and pigeon lofts.

If they do turn up where human life is at risk they would have to wear full chemical protection suits.

One station officer said although no reason had been given, they suspected the timing meant it was due to the threat of an epidemic.

Slovakia has become the eighth EU member state to confirm outbreaks of bird flu. The virus has been found in two wild birds, and samples were being sent to the EU's special laboratory in Weybridge, Surrey, to establish whether the cases involve the deadly H5N1 strain.

Experts fear it is a case of when and not if the virus mutates to hit humans and spark a long-running pandemic.

One firefighter said: "We normally attend all incidents involving animals if asked to by the RSPCA. It's utter nonsense and completely unworkable. What happens if we go to a house fire if they've got a pet budgie or aviary?

"Do we say 'sorry mate, we can't put out your fire because we might catch bird flu'?"

The memo has sparked widespread unease among firefighters who fear they will be unable to do their jobs properly.

Another firefighter said it had left him "embarrassed" to wear his uniform.

"There's been one pigeon in France and everyone's panicking," he said. "If this isn't a major over-reaction I don't know what is. They'll stop us going to fires soon because of the danger."

No one from the brigade or RSPCA was immediately available for comment.