FIREFIGHTERS have voted to go on strike over a pensions dispute with the Government.
Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) approved industrial action by 78 per cent, meaning a walkout could be held as soon as next week.
The fire service has already acknowledged it will face a significant squeeze on resources during industrial action.
In a letter to businesses, assistant chief fire officer Chris Blacksell warned some emergencies may go unattended.
Deputy chief fire officer Dene Saunders said: "I fully appreciate the concerns the union has over the proposed changes to pensions and hope it is able to come to a satisfactory agreement through further discussions with the Government.
"However, the safety of our communities must come first and I am disappointed members of the Union have chosen to take this route.
"We have robust plans in place to continue to provide an emergency response service. However, this will be at a much reduced level to what our communities have come to expect."
The FBU has not yet announced a strike date but one must be held within 28 days.
Industrial action must be announced a week before it takes place.
The last strike was in 2002, when officers walked out for two days.
Emergencies were dealt with by the Army using vintage green goddess fire engines.
But the military has this time ruled out stepping in, leaving Humberside fire chiefs to cope on their own.
Reserve staff have been recruited to be called up when professional firefighters walk out.
They will be given a week's training and then deployed under the supervision of a full-time staff member not taking part in the strike.
However, the reserves will be trained in defensive firefighting techniques only – meaning they cannot enter burning buildings and make rescues, or cut free people trapped in vehicles.
Mr Saunders said: "This will be a challenging time for us but we feel confident in our plans and remain focused on the period post-action and managing the smooth return to normality."
The strikes are related to Government changes forcing firefighters to work until 60 if they want to claim a full pension.
The FBU believes it is such a physically demanding job many officers will be unable to keep going until that age and will lose out financially if they leave or are dismissed for fitness reasons.
General secretary Matt Wrack said: "None of us want a strike, but we cannot compromise on public and firefighter safety."
No one from the union's Humberside branch could be reached for comment.
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