FIREFIGHTERS yesterday hit the government with a wildcat strike two days after a similar bus strike, as Barry O’Farrell’s battle with the union movement intensified.

As with bus drivers, the Industrial Relations Commission ordered firefighters to lift work bans but it looked as though the government would be forced to seek an order to send them back last night.

Firefighters decided at 8am to put bans in place — including on firefighters relieving crews and on paperwork.

The Fire Brigade Employees Union state secretary Jim Casey said the department had failed to implement an agreement to allow injured firefighters to drive logistic support vehicles, rather than simply be paid out.

[NOTE: DAILY TELEGRAPH PHOTO SHOWS FIRE TRUCK FROM VIC, NOT NSW]