Firefighters across the UK have delivered a mandate for strike action - with 88% voting 'yes' on a 73% turnout.
In Northern Ireland, 94% of members voted in favour of action, during the strike ballot which opened on December 5 and closed on January 30.
The Fire Brigades Union says "in the hope of averting strike action", it has given the government and employers ten days to come forward with "an improved offer which could be put to a vote of members".
Read more: Eight deaths in NI house fires in recent months as NIFRS issue warning
If they go ahead, the strikes would be the first nation-wide fire strike over pay since 2003. It comes after FBU members rejected a below-inflation 5% pay offer in November last year.
Matt Wrack, General Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said: "Firefighters across the UK have spoken. The Fire Brigades Union has a decisive mandate for strike action.
"This is an overwhelming vote for strike action against an offer which would mean further significant cuts to real terms wages for firefighters and control room staff. They have already lost at least 12% of the value of their pay since 2010.
"This is an absolute last resort for our members. The responsibility for any disruption to services lies squarely with fire service employers and government ministers.
"Rishi Sunak's government has refused to make funding available for a decent pay offer to firefighters and control staff.
"Firefighters were among Britain's Covid heroes who kept frontline services going during the pandemic. The Prime Minister has badly misjudged the public mood by imposing pay cuts on key workers.
"Our members risk their health and safety, and sometimes their lives, round the clock to keep people safe and serve their communities. However, with inflation and energy bills rocketing, they are now increasingly struggling to pay the bills or to afford the basics.
"The government and the employers have the power to stop strikes from happening by making a credible offer that can resolve this dispute. The ball is in their court.
"We have delayed calling strikes to allow the employers to meet us and to make a new offer. I hope they take that opportunity. Otherwise, in the coming weeks, we intend to announce a series of strike dates and industrial action."
The interim chief fire officer in Northern Ireland said discussions are ongoing over “special arrangements” to cover emergencies if firefighters go on strike.
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) interim chief fire and rescue officer Andy Hearn said he respects the result of the ballot.
He said: “I wholly support a pay increase for our firefighters and absolutely recognise the right of firefighters to participate in peaceful strike action.
“This is a national issue which we are closely monitoring.
“We will continue to engage with the FBU, National Joint Council, Department of Health and other key stakeholders.
“As an organisation we have a legal responsibility to prepare for strike action and a legal responsibility to deliver our statutory duty.
“In terms of contingency planning, discussions are ongoing with the FBU to reach clarity about the special arrangements they are prepared to agree for NIFRS, which would enable firefighters to respond to certain categories of high-risk calls should a strike go ahead.
“We recognise that the outcome of this ballot may cause concern or feelings of uncertainty amongst the community that we serve.
“I want to reassure the community that we are doing everything we can to resolve this national issue.
“We will know more about what this ballot means for us as a service in the coming days and weeks and we will continue to provide updates as appropriate.”
Mr Hearn told the BBC contingency measures could include bringing in the military to cover callouts.
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