ESSEX, ENGLAND--(Marketwire - July 18, 2012) - Essex firefighters on a 24-hour strike, starting at 9 a.m. this morning, will march through the streets of Chelmsford today, accompanied by the Fire Brigades Union's own fire engine. The demonstration will begin at 12 midday at Admirals Park, Chelmsford, and end at Central Park, Chelmsford, where a rally will be addressed by FBU general secretary Matt Wrack.

Essex firefighters are on strike over fire authority plans to get rid of 100 full time and 60 retained firefighters - one in five of all the firefighters in Essex. The Fire Brigades Union says the plan will compromise the safety of those who live in Essex.