Firefighters belonging to SIPTU will hold a protest outside 12 firestations in Dublin today.

Members of the union say they are taking the action against an attempt to break up the DFB emergency medical service.

The union say senior management at Dublin city council propose to remove the ambulance service ‘call and dispatch function’ from them.

SIPTU organiser Brendan O Brien says the removal of this service will reduce effectiveness and cause delays in response times.

“We’ve balloted our members for industrial and strike action, and we’re campaigning at the moment and seeking public support.”