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Published: 4th November, 2010
EXCLUSIVE by RICHARD OSLEY

A FIREFIGHTER at one of Camden’s busiest bases is commuting all the way from Blackpool – 250 miles away – because the cost of living in London is too high, the New Journal can reveal.

Paul Chilton spends up to five hours driving or taking the train to work at the Kentish Town fire station in Highgate Road.

He often spends nights sleeping in the make-do shelter of a parked camper van. Other nights between putting out fires for the Brigade, he relies on staying with friends. 

His wife and new baby son Joseph, just a month old, back in Lancashire are resigned to the fact they will hardly see him at the family home.

Yesterday, Mr Chilton, known to colleagues by his nickname “Ray”, told the New Journal: “It takes a lot out of you but I love the job – and I’d do anything for it.”

The startling case study of the lengths Camden’s firefighters go to keep the service ticking was revealed as the threat of a Bonfire Night strike tomorrow (Friday) in protest at staff contract changes continues to loom large.

Mr Chilton’s interview with the New Journal came a week after Brian Coleman, the Conservative London Assembly member at the head of London’s Fire Authority, said he could find a new workforce by simply advertising in newspapers if fire­fighters re­fused to agree to new shift patterns.

This un­compromising threat of job losses unless contracts are signed has fuelled the anger of firefighters as the capital-wide strike draws closer.

The Fire Brigade say day and longer night shifts should be changed so they are a similar length, but union members say the alterations will leave teams short in numbers overnight, the time when they say fires do more damage and catch victims unawares.

Bosses say day shifts can be better used with more training and ­community work under the changes.

Mr Chilton said: “What we are actually talking about is mass sackings because if you don’t sign the new ­contracts then you don’t have a job. People say it is irresponsible to strike on Guy Fawke’s Night but it is more irrespon­sible to force through changes that will lead to fire stations closing and a loss of cover at night.”

“The idea that we are sitting around playing pool on a shift is just wrong. We are always at work. We do drills every day so we are prepared, we train, we fit smoke alarms. We don’t sit around watching TV if there isn’t a fire ­reported.”

Mr Chilton said he was forced to seek a post with the Brigade in London after cutbacks to the service in his home town left no work opportunities. He has been commuting for more than two years, often going four days without seeing his family.

“Sometimes I drive and I have to leave five hours for that to be sure to be there but I usually get the train. I have to book up a long time in advance to try and get cheaper tickets, ­otherwise it gets very expensive,” said the 29-year-old.

“We tried to move to London, looked around and just could not afford it. Even renting close to Kentish Town is too expensive to us, so I’m left commuting. I’m either travelling or at work.”

Mr Chilton was among the crews dampening down the blackened remains of the Camden Fire two years ago following the ­dramatic fireball inferno that ruined the market area close to the Lock.

Union members were outside the Camden ­Centre on Tuesday night to lobby Mr Coleman – and the Mayor of London Boris Johnson – during a question time event.

The Fire Brigade Union plan their two-day walkout to start from tomorrow (Friday).

The Brigade and the Mayor’s Office said they were disappointed the industrial action was being taken. The Fire Brigade Union general secretary Matt Wrack said: “We do not want to take this action but we have no choice. The alternative is to allow London’s firefighters to become doormats for their employers to walk on.”