The retained fire services are to ballot for industrial action over fears that a reduction in crewing levels will put fire-fighters and the public at risk.
The directive would see attending crews reduced by one fire-fighter.
SIPTU members fear reduced crewing levels will pose risks for fire-fighters.
It follows a directive - issued by the Department of the Environment - which would see attending crews reduced by one fire-member.
The department insists changing the crew number would simply keep Ireland in line with international norms.
But Michael Spillane, station officer in Edgeworthstown fire station in Co Longford, says that is not the case.
About two thirds of firefighters in Ireland are known as retained firefighters - while they are trained firefighters they are not full-time ,but paid a retaining fee and paid on a per-call basis.
Retained firefighters and stations are located primarily in smaller towns and rural locations, where the number of calls, risk factors and cost dictate against a full-time brigade.
