UNION leaders said firefighters could only safeguard the 999 service by going on strike.

A Cleveland Fire Brigade strike ballot, the result of which is expected on May 14, was not taken lightly or frivolously, said the Fire Brigades' Union (FBU).

Cleveland Fire Authority and council leaders have appealed to Teesside's 694 firefighters not to strike and put lives at risk.

Fire crews are set to strike over proposals for the brigade to share control room facilities with the police and ambulance service.

The local FBU said: "We understand the concerns about us taking strike action and leaving Cleveland without a fire service, and we have those same fears and concerns.

"We, too, live in Cleveland, with our families and friends put at the same risk, but the alternative is for us to accept what we believe is a lower standard of service, which we genuinely believe could result in the public, businesses and firefighters being put at very great risk."

The FBU said it had a moral duty to protect the public and business community.

"We would not be fulfilling our obligations if we did not do everything in our power to prevent this flawed initiative from going ahead," said the union.

Ian Hayton, executive director of Cleveland Fire Brigade, has called on the FBU to explore ways of resolving its concerns through recently-accepted negotiating procedures.