The fire service is urging people not to make unnecessary 999 calls as a weekend of industrial action begins today.
Humberside Fire and Rescue Service is expecting a number of staff members to strike today, from noon to 5pm, tomorrow from 2pm to 2am and on Sunday, from 10am to 3pm.
The service will be providing a reduced emergency response during these times and is asking for members of the public to help.
Dene Sanders, chief fire officer, said: "While the industrial action is taking place we will still respond to 999 calls. A level of service is in place but we are asking people to only call 999 if they really do need a fire engine.
"Our priority will be to respond to those calls where lives are at risk."
The industrial action is part of a long-running dispute over pensions. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said the strikes could be halted immediately if the Government made a revised pensions offer that "takes the evidence into account". Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: "It is purely the failure of the Government to present revised proposals that has led to these strikes. Now the Government is walking away from talks. It is utterly irresponsible. "The FBU has never walked away from discussion and our members have been patient and measured in their approach, but we will not simply stand by while Government imposes a pension scheme that is totally unworkable, unaffordable, unsustainable and unfair." The union said firefighters are having to pay higher pension contributions, face working into their late 50s before retiring and could be sacked because their fitness declines as they get older. A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said: "It was the union executive's decision to call this strike that effectively ended its discussions with the Government. This shows the executive is not serious about finding a resolution for its members. "The Government is clear that further change can be made through constructive engagement, but not under the shadow of industrial action, which only serves to damage firefighters' standing with the public. "The deal on the table gives firefighters one of the most generous pension schemes in all the public sector, and the proposals protect the earned rights of a higher proportion of members than any other public sector scheme. "Nearly three-quarters will see no change in their pension age in 2015. "Under the new scheme, a firefighter who earns £29,000 will still be able to retire after a full career aged 60, get a £19,000 a year pension, rising to £26,000 with the state pension. "An equivalent private pension pot would be worth over half a million pounds and require firefighters to contribute twice as much. "This weekend public safety is our prime concern and robust contingency plans are in place to keep people protected."• Visit humbersidefire.gov.uk.
