NINE Southampton firefighters are facing disciplinary action after refusing to use a piece of specialist terrorist equipment.

The members of Red Watch at Redbridge fire station yesterday dramatically disobeyed orders to train on Hampshire's only Incident Response Unit in a protest over pay.

The firefighters, all Fire Brigades Union members, were called in one by one by station commander Shaun Rowlatt and told to use the IRU, which arrived at Redbridge fire station, in Walnut Grove, on Friday.

Each refused and was put "on report".

It means their salaries could be cut by as much as half - and disciplinary procedures could start, ultimately ending in sacking.

The protest also looks set to expand drast-ically once more watches come on to the

station, and at Eastleigh station, where the IRU back-up vehicle is kept.

A firefighter, who did not wish to be named, told the Daily Echo yesterday: "The mood and morale of the station is very low. Not one firefighter wants to do this but we feel we have been forced into it because of the pay situation."

Union bosses say they introduced the protest after brigade employers failed to come up with 3.5 per cent and 4.2 per cent increases.

Spokesman Roy Goring said: "We have stuck to our part of the agreement, we have jumped through hoops and they are still refusing to pay us the money. Enough is enough."

A spokesman for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) said: "HFRS has not suspended any firefighters as a result of this issue. However, it views such actions very seriously as they threaten public safety.

"The Chief Officer has called for urgent talks with the Hampshire branch of the FBU to clarify its instructions to its members."