Good luck, from me too, Dave.
I dislike the regular firemen, but think the retained lot are great.
I was really, REALLY, messed around during the fire strikes, after just returning from 6 months in Kosovo, and could have done well without the stikes.
To my shame, I did give some abuse to our Chepstow retained firemen - while out for a run one morning - 'Get back to f....... work you lazy-greedy b........', I shouted at them, during the stikes. They were in town; putting up the Christmas decorations (I think). I thought they were 'in-between strikes'.
They looked at me open mouthed as I pounded past holding my two fingers up (at a safe distance away; mind you; some of them were much bigger than me).
To my shame, my mate told me, 'Tosh, they're retained; they don't strike'.
Doh!
So, even though I would like to be a retained fireman, I can't because I live too far away from the station and I'm also frightened some of the bigger ones might remember the Japanese-Geordie who shouted stupid abuse at them and thump me.
Anyway,
Good luck, mate!
I bet you miss the regular pay though!