Scottish ministers are considering drafting in the military to carry out firefighter duties if a strike goes ahead, the Daily Record can reveal.
About 33,000 members of the Fire Brigades Union across the United Kingdom have been balloted on strike action over a five per cent pay offer.
And it has emerged that the Scottish Government and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are weighing up a request for the military to step in. The Record understands talks have been held with the MoD to discuss Military Aid to Civil Authorities stepping in, if a strike takes place.