A Longford firefighter fears there will be no fire service in local communities if certain issues are not resolved.
Retained firefighters are threatening strike action if they aren't given better pay and more time off.
A series of rolling work stoppages are due to begin on June 7th, escalating to an "all-out strike" on June 20th.
Over 2,000 firefighters across 200 stations will be taking part.
Ballymahon fireman Michael Farrell is on the national negotiating committee, he says more must be done to ensure fire members are retained.
''The realty of it is they're leaving for economic reasons, the money isn't there, the work/life balance isn't there so why would they stay within a service that's not providing for them when we provide so much to our communities. I'm disappointed the management side and Government can't see the reality that we are in bother, there'll be no fire service there in five years if we don't do somehting now.''
