A PART-TIME East Lancashire firefighter, found guilty of making hoax 999 calls in order to claim call-out pay, awaits sentence by the courts.
But he already knows his fate with the fire-brigade - the sack.
That fire-fighters sometimes do this is, we are told, not a big problem. Even so, dismissal for those who do ought to be automatic.
For each hoax call - wherever it comes from - puts lives at risk.
Fire engines responding to bogus calls may be needed elsewhere for genuine emergencies.
Thus, zero tolerance for the hoaxers must always be the rule - whoever they are.
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