FIREFIGHTERS have voted in favour of a strike in a dispute over pensions.
Members of the Fire Brigades Union want to a strike over a change in conditions which means they will be unable to retire until they're 60 - rather than at 55 as happens now.
The union said many firefighters will not be able to maintain fitness standards into their late 50s and this will endanger the public.
They fear many could be dismissed by the fire service before they reach retirement age, meaning they wouldn't be entitled to their pension straight away.
The government has said the existing arrangements are unaffordable, but acting FBU secretary Graham Wilkinson said the proposals would mean there was more chance of firefighters being dismissed because of their inability to carry out some duties.
"The major problem is that the government wants firefighters to work until they're 60.
"The government did a study which showed many firefighters struggle to keep up at that age and our main concern is that if we have firefighters unable to keep up with fitness standards, they could be dismissed under capability."
A spokesman for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said contingency arrangements were in place to help keep people safe but said the service would be considerably depleted.
