The vote was preceded by a warning from a fire chief that lives would be put at risk if a strike went ahead.

Of the FBU's 50,000 members, 87% voted in favour of strike action after a ballot on Friday.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said its members would strike for 48 hours on 29 October and 2 November respectively.

There has been a total of eight reviews into the fire service since 1999 and quite frankly we're 'reviewed out'

Sandy McNiven FBU

Firefighters are demanding a 40% pay rise, which would see salaries for fully qualified staff rise to about �30,000.

Strathclyde Firemaster Jeff Ord conceded there was sympathy for firefighters in their pay claim to local authority employers.

Mr Ord called on the FBU to hold off taking action until the result of an independent review in December was known.

He said the Army would only be able to provide basic cover with outdated equipment and limited training.

He told BBC Radio Scotland: "It increases the danger for everyone and although the military will do the best job they can do, and we admire them for that, they can't substitute for professional firefighters.

'Get involved'

"There is a danger to people in their homes, in their businesses and on the roads with traffic accidents and chemical spillages, it really is a worry for everyone.

"I would be misleading your listeners if I didn't say that public safety will be put at risk more by this strike than it would normally be."

Mr Ord urged the FBU to "get involved" in the current review which was ordered by the government and then consider "exercising its right to strike" should that review fail to provide an outcome.

Jeff Ord: Support for more money

The firemaster said there was widespread support for a pay increase for firefighters but it was a "question of how much more".

However, Sandy McNiven of the FBU said his members were determined to pursue their 40% salary increase and a succession of previous reviews had failed to secure a long-term resolution.

He said: "We have no desire to go on strike. We're asking the government to allow our employers to come back to the negotiating table and discuss fair pay for firefighters.

Airports unaffected

"We feel there is no need for any further reviews. There has been a total of eight reviews into the fire service since 1999 and quite frankly we're 'reviewed out'."

Mr McNiven said a "wide-ranging review" commissioned by the Labour Research Department had recommended a �30,000 salary for a qualified firefighter - the union's current claim.

None of Scotland's airports will be affected by a strike.

Their crews are airport employees and are not members of the FBU.