Norfolk firefighters, who could be on the brink of their first strike action over pay in 20 years, say they have been "pushed into a corner" by a pay offer they branded "an insult".
Details of a ballot for strikes by firefighters and control room staff over pay have been announced by the Fire Brigades Union.
After the rejection of a 5pc pay offer, members will start voting on December 5, with the result due at the end of January.
If a national strike took place, it would be the first since action over pensions between 2013 and 2015 and the first on pay since 2002/03.
Ryan Hastings, Norfolk FBU brigade secretary, said: "This offer is an insult to all our members. I, personally, want to see our members get a proper government-funded pay rise.
"Nobody wants to resort to industrial action, but I feel we've been pushed into a corner.
"Let's see our government step up and get around the table to take this matter seriously and start negotiating a proper pay rise."
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Notice of the ballot has been sent to fire and rescue service employers - in Norfolk's case that is the county council.
Setting firefighter pay is the responsibility of employers, including the county council, working through the National Joint Council.
The government provides funding for councils to run fire services.
Fire chiefs said they would consider ways to provide emergency cover if the strike action happens.
Ceri Sumner, director of Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We welcome the National Joint Council’s increased pay offer for firefighters, who do vital work and deserve to feel properly recognised and valued.
"However we also recognise the right of our staff to take industrial action should they consider it appropriate.
"While the FBU ballot is underway we will be considering arrangements within Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service to provide emergency cover during any strike action.”
Matt Wrack, the FBU's general secretary, said: “The ball is still in the employers’ and government’s court. We urge them to provide a decent pay offer and help bring this dispute to an end.”
Meanwhile, up to 100,000 nursing staff will take part in their biggest-ever strike in December in a long-running dispute over pay.
Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) will take industrial action on December 15 and 20 after voting in favour in a ballot.
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