Fire service staff are set to walk out for eight days tomorrow (March 9).

Fire crews will not be affected by the industrial action, but emergency call operators who are members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) will strike from 7am until March 18.

A total of 21 of 32 control staff are said to be taking part in protest at changes to shift patterns.

The strike had been due to only last 72 hours, but it was extended following claims by the FBU of a lack of co-operation from management.

The FBU say Essex Fire and Rescue Service staff are now designated two 12-hour night shifts straight after two 12-hour day shifts, making childcare difficult.

Staff were said to have previously worked two nine-hour shifts followed by two 15-hour night shifts, but with more time to rest during shifts.

FBU staff also say there have been problems at a new control centre in Kelvedon Park, which has suffered a number of IT failures since opening earlier this year.

The union has said 12 operators have left the service sue to the changes.

“Effectively you have got fewer people doing more work”, said Alan Chinn-Shaw, Essex FBU secretary.

“The quality of life for the operators and their families has been detrimented quite dramatically.”

A spokesperson for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: “We have strong contingency arrangements in place and as far as the public is concerned they will not notice any difference.”