Lincolnshire firefighters will be among thousands of civil service workers on strike today in protest over pay, pensions and workloads.
They will form part of a nationwide strike action which will also include teachers, council workers and civil servants.
Most schools are expected to open in South Holland, with only pupils in years seven, nine and ten at Spalding’s Priory School given advance notice that classes would be closed.
Firefighters will strike between 10am and 7pm, but residents have been reassured that emergency cover will still be available.
Dave Ramscar, chief fire officer at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, said: “Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue has plans in place to ensure that we continue to provide an emergency response within the county.
“We accept that any planned industrial action will impact on our ability to deliver business as usual, but we are confident the implementation of our plans will enable us to continue to answer 999 calls and to respond to incidents as quickly as possible.”
Further industrial action could follow next week as The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) continues to fight the government’s proposed changes to firefighters’ retirement benefits posed a “vicious attack” on their pensions.