Firefighters are threatening industrial action in protest at not being insured for dealing with terrorist attacks.
Members of the Fire Brigades Union have voted 9-1 in favour of action short of a strike.
The row follows revelations that fire crews who are injured or killed dealing with terrorist incidents can expect no compensation.
FBU spokesman Adrian Woolaston said: “We want to know that our families will be properly protected if anything happens to any of us.”
The government said it had never provided insurance cover for firefighters.
