AT least four fire stations across south Essex are understood to have called for strike action after a firefighter was sacked for complaining about frontline cuts.

The firefighter was dismissed after he left Grays fire station without permission before the end of a shift, to avoid investigators from head office sent to question him about a note he wrote to a local councillor.

The letter complained about cutbacks, and Essex Fire and Rescue’s chief fire officer, David Johnson.

Two firefighters have also been suspended, while another 40, from Basildon fire station, are thought to be under investigation for raising concerns with MPs and councillors.

A Grays firefighter, who asked not to be identified, said: “A firefighter at our station has been sacked. I’m aware several branches of the union at different fire stations have submitted proposals to their regional heads for some sort of action.

“A lot of firefighters feel there is a culture of bullying from above.”

Calls for action follow the announcement of cutbacks to save the service £1.4million, including all 25 full-time firefighters at Canvey being replaced by a retained part-time crew.

Scott Morrow, spokesman for Essex Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We can confirm a firefighter has been sacked and it is now the subject of an appeal.

“We cannot comment further while the appeal is ongoing.”