Two thousand retained firefighters across the country are returning to the picket lines today.
They're resuming strike action after voting to reject a Labour Court recommendation on pay and working hours, but will cover life-threatening emergencies.
SIPTU says local authorities have refused to agree an emergency cover plan during the work stoppages, and accused them of pitting the public against the men and women of the retained services.
Divisional Organiser Karen O'Loughlin says the government needs to step in.
She said: "I think its time the Government came to its senses and realised that the years of neglect that have caused this problem means that it is going to take some resources to fix it.
"They should sit down and discuss how we can roll this out in an orderly fashion and avoid our members doing the last thing they want to do - which is go on strike."
