The question being asked of everyone at the moment is "would you voluntarily go into a burning building to save someone else?"

No, I wouldn't voluntarily enter a burning building but if I was paid to do it, was trained to do it, was able to do it, had the right equipment and had chosen to do it, I would.

While I have every sympathy for underpaid public sector workers, being one myself, I do not support the fire service's current strike.

Policemen and women face slightly different but equally dangerous risks on a daily basis.

Police officers have been shot at during the course of performing their jobs and some have been killed.

I wouldn't voluntarily want to enter a building full of armed villains.

Nurses suffer the indignity of trying to work to a high standard with limited resources while frequently being abused and sworn at.

I did choose to work in a casualty ward for many years and during my time there saw sights and experienced things that have changed my outlook for ever.

Teachers have the unenviable task of trying to raise the consciousness of the nation's youth to make it a better generation than the one before.

I don't think I would want to enter an overfilled classroom in an inner city school and attempt to teach.

The Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force all choose to do the most difficult job of all.

Sometimes they have to kill other people just because they have been ordered to. I could not do that.

All public sector workers are inadequately paid for the jobs they do. All should be paid more.

But to try to hold the nation to ransom for a 40 per cent pay rise is unrealistically greedy.

If the fire workers do get it, then that will leave no money for everyone else, so nurses, teachers and the police will get their usual derisory amounts when their pay awards are agreed.

I admire the job firemen and women do.

I think they are extremely brave people but I won't be tooting my car horn in support as I drive past my local fire station.

I am a nurse - I cannot afford a car.

Lifeboat crews, by the way, regularly go to sea in force nine gales and brave 30ft waves and the very real risk of drowning themselves, to save people.

Like the firefighters they have adequate training and the proper equipment.

Unlike the fire service, they do this dangerous job voluntarily and do not get paid at all.

They choose to do it because they are able to do it.