CAMPAIGNERS have attacked an "irresponsible" and "risky" decision by Derbyshire fire chiefs to recruit public reserve firefighters if a proposed strike goes ahead.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) is currently balloting its members regarding industrial action over changes to pensions.
And if members vote to strike when the ballot closes on August 29, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue has said it will recruit "reserve" firefighters from the public to tackle fires, road crashes and other emergencies in FBU members' absences.
A spokeswoman for Derbyshire Fire and Rescue said: "Whilst this is a national dispute between the FBU and central government, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Authority understands their staff are in an extremely difficult position.
"However we still have a legal obligation to ensure we can continue to provide an emergency response throughout any local industrial action."
The service has provided a telephone number for people interested in the role.
Successful applicants would be given training and personal safety equipment, as well as being able to use the service's fire engines.
The spokeswoman said the move was a "precautionary measure" but Chris Williamson, MP for Derby North, said he felt reserve recruits "would not be able to cope" with the demands of the role.
He said: "It is a very precarious situation for people, to be possibly facing a strike like this.
"There is a very real risk in taking on these recruits from the general public, if indeed the fire authority goes ahead with this action.
"I would imagine that if there was a real major fire, there would be some sort of protocol which would mean firefighters coming back on shift to deal with the emergency."
And he added: "But we should not be in this situation.
"The government needs to get back round the negotiating table to avoid this action."
Previously, military support and Green Goddess fire engines have been used during strikes, though these have been taken out of service and are no longer available.
The FBU argues the proposed pension changes would impose a sharp increase in members' contributions and put firefighters at greater risk of dismissal without access to a proper pension if they cannot maintain fitness standards as they approach the retirement age of 60.
Matthew Sinclair, the chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, a campaign group fighting for lower taxes based in London, said it would be "irresponsible" for the firefighters to put the public at risk by going on strike.
He said: "Their pension is extremely generous and it is only right and fair that – like that of other public-sector workers – it should be subject to reforms.
"Clearly the Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Authority has a duty to ensure public safety and it is now having to spend valuable resources preparing for the possibility of a strike"
Mr Sinclair added: "However, the FBU could both save money and guarantee that nobody will be put in any unnecessary danger by calling off the strike ballot altogether."
Matt Wrack, the FBU's general secretary, said he hoped that the dispute could be resolved without the need for industrial action and reiterated the need for more talks with government.
He said: "The FBU is currently balloting our members of attacks on our pensions but we are anxious to avoid an industrial dispute if at all possible and we urge the government to come back to the negotiating table."