The Fire Brigades Union has announced a 24-hour strike will take place starting at 9am on Tuesday (December 9).

Plans are being put in place to ensure fire cover across the county is maintained and that emergency 999 calls are responded to.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Chris Strickland said: “We will be working hard during the coming days to ensure our resilience arrangements are in place to provide a reasonable level of emergency cover across the county, as we have with all previous periods of industrial action.

“We urge all residents and businesses to take extra care during this 24 hour strike period, whether it be in the home, at work or on the road.

“Ensure you have checked you have a smoke alarm on every floor of your property and test them all by pressing the ‘test’ button on the alarm itself.”

ADVICE

Continue to dial 999 as normal. Be aware that calls may be prioritised.

Smoke alarms - make sure you’ve got one and check it works.

Know what to do in the event of a fire - get out, stay out and dial 999.

Share fire safety - talk to friends and family.

Ensure any open fires or candles are fully extinguished and disposed of safely.

Plan your escape route if there is a fire in your home and close doors when you go to bed.

Do not overload electrical sockets and turn off appliances when not in use.

Don’t make any unnecessary road journeys and take extra care when driving.

For more information on the strike and extra safety advice, log onto www.cambsfire.gov.uk.