SIPTU has accused the Government of failing to prepare for a strike by retained firefighters next week.
The union is calling on local authorities to outline the measures that will be taken to ensure public safety when industrial action by its members escalates on Tuesday 13 June.
"Our members in the retained fire service are reporting that, in most counties, management has no specific contingency plans in place and are not undertaking any information campaigns to inform the public of the likely impact of targeted strike action," said SIPTU Public Administration and Community Division Organiser, Karan O Loughlin.
"Local authorities have a responsibility to advise the public that there will be disruption to this crucial emergency service and put in place plans to alleviate its impact where possible," Ms O Loughlin said.
Earlier this week, retained firefighters began a campaign of industrial action which involved refusal to co-operate with work outside of responding to emergency calls.
If there is no resolution to the dispute, rolling strikes will begin from 13 June followed by an all-out strike on 20 June.
SIPTU wants improved pay and conditions for retained firefighters to address a recruitment and retention crisis in the service.
Members of the retained service are part-time firefighters who are paid an annual retainer to be available for call-outs.
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien, has published a report on the future of the retained fire service which contains a number of measures aimed at addressing problems in the service and his department said that work is underway to begin implementing the recommendations.
Last week, Mr O'Brien told the Dáil that he is confident the industrial dispute can be resolved.
