SHAME on you M Burcher (You Say, December 12). You have, in one paragraph of your letter, confirmed your gullibility in believing the Government's spin against the British firefighter.

Sad to say, it is M Burcher who should hold his/her head in shame. The firefighters of New York were heroes and will always be heroes.

Audacity? I think not. I am proud of my 24-and-a-half years' service to the community - and proud I was able to help the families of our brothers in New York with what was a fantastic amount of money donated by the communities of Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

In the eyes of M Burcher, firefighters not serving in New York are obviously not heroes. Such a shame he/she is so blinkered. He/she obviously feels that the saving of life, whether human or animal, is mundane for the British firefighter.

But M Burcher should try and remember if these attacks had happened in any other country, small or large, the response of the emergency services would have been the same, and, unfortunately, the loss of life might well have been the same.

Firefighters throughout the world are, and will always be, a special breed. Whether they are saving people who dislike them or love them, they will try and save them regardless.

A New York firefighter at the start of his career is on the same as a firefighter who has served five years in Britain. A New York firefighter's wages who has served five years earns just under £39,000 per annum.

If you had done some research before replying to my previous letter you would have known this - unless, of course, you are a politician earning a lot of money doing little, plus expenses, and probably a director of a large concern somewhere in the UK.

My Fire Service colleagues and I can, and always will, hold our heads high.

LEADING FIREFIGHTER DAVE SMITH,

Red Watch, Fire Station,

Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade,

Copenhagen Street,

Worcester.