Members of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS are one step closer to striking after talks with fire bosses broke down in just two and a half minutes.

  The meeting between ECFRS and member of the Essex Fire Brigade Union (FBU) follow plans by Fire chiefs to cut around 50 jobs and limit training for specialist equipment in Essex.

Discussions fell apart in just six minutes when fire chiefs asked union representatives to leave before discussions even began.

  The fire authorities have been told that the Army will not be available for them if the strikes do go ahead, and the Guardian understands that during the strikes, experienced fire-fighters could be replaced with cheap foreign labour.

  Paul Adams, from Essex FBU, said: "We're at least a month away from any action, but in places like Epping Forest where many of the officers are retained, the strain on them will be huge.

"We don't want to go on strike, It's our last resort but we will do it to protect the service and its dedicated officers, who are concerned that these cuts will cost lives."

  ECFRS Chief Fire Officer David Johnson said: “I am dismayed at the belligerent stance being taken by the FBU – it is going to get us nowhere.

“All we are asking is that they work within an established framework and they can’t even agree to do that.

"They are keener on talking to the Press than actually coming here for meaningful discussion, despite their protests to the contrary.

"They are repeating the same old claims without coming forward with any constructive alternatives.”

The ballot is scheduled to end on July 31 and the results will be announced a week later.