FIREFIGHTERS in the West Midlands have been told to stop attending incidents involving birds as fears grow over an outbreak of avian flu in Britain. Firemen across the brigade area were told of the bird ban today, after the first case of the deadly H5N1 virus was discovered in France. Deputy chief fire officer Vijith Randeniya told staff in a leaked memo: "We are not to attend any calls to stranded or distressed birds even if requested by the RSPCA." The memo gave no more detail other than to say "a routine notice will follow". The move could mean crews refusing to attend fires at pet shops, farms and homes with aviaries and pigeon lofts. If they do turn out where human life is at risk they will be ordered to wear full chemical protection suits. Station officers who rang the brigade's control room for details about the memo said they were told the move was sanctioned as a precaution against a spread of the virus. But top brass today refused to confirm the validity of the memo, which was dated February 19 and issued today on the first day of a new watch. The ruling has been issued independently by the West Midlands brigade, according to a spokesman for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. One firefighter said: "We normally attend all incidents involving animals if asked to by the RSPCA. "It's utter nonsense and completely unworkable. What happens if we go to a house fire if they've got a pet budgie or aviary? Do we say 'sorry mate, we can't put out your fire because we might catch bird flu'?" The memo has sparked widespread unease among firefighters who fear they will be unable to do their jobs properly. Another firefighter said it had left him "embarrassed" to wear his uniform. "There's been one pigeon in France and everyone's panicking," he said. "If this isn't a major over-reaction I don't know what is. They'll stop us going to fires soon because of the danger." Despite the Mail seeing a copy of the memo, a brigade spokesman insisted no such warning had been issued to front line crews. No one from the RSPCA was immediately available for comment. Experts fear it is a case of when and not if the virus mutates to affect humans and spark a long-running pandemic. Slovakia has become the eighth EU member state to confirm outbreaks of bird flu. The virus has been found in two wild birds, and samples were being sent to the EU's special laboratory in Weybridge, Surrey, for scientists to establish whether the cases involve the deadly H5N1 strain. * What do you think of the ban? Tell us your views at www.icbirmingham.co.uk/mail/news/yoursay | 
