MEMBERS of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) will be taking part in yet more industrial action over proposed changes to firefighters' pensions.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service has been informed that members of the union plan to strike from 9am on June 12 to 9am on June 13 - the unions first 24-hour strike.

Then again, from 10amon Saturday, June 21 to 5pm the same day.

The national trade dispute between the FBU and the Government relates to proposed changes to pensions.

A ballot result last year provided the FBU with a mandate to take industrial action.

It affects all operational staff who are members of the FBU and are eligible to join a firefighters pension scheme.

If strike action takes place on these dates it will result in a significant reduction of the service’s available resources.

However, plans are in place to continue to provide appropriate emergency fire cover which will provide a basic service and will aim to prioritise the most urgent calls ahead of other responses.

Area commander Keith Chance, from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, said: “While the industrial action is on-going we will still be responding to 999 calls, but we will be asking members of the public to take extra steps to reduce the risk of a fire breaking out in their home.

"This is the first 24-hour strike being taken by the FBU during this dispute and we appreciate that members of the public may be concerned by this, however, I would like to reassure them that we will have plans in place to cover this strike period.

“We would ask people to ensure they have working smoke alarms in their homes as this can provide them with an early warning if a fire should break out in their home.

"We have lots of fire safety advice for residents and businesses on our website hwfire.org.uk Above all else please remain vigilant.”