Householders and businesses have been warned to take extra care as firefighters stage a walkout this afternoon.
Members of the Essex Fire Brigade Union will be striking between noon and 4pm today as part of a UK-wide day of action in a dispute over pensions.
Crews will still attend emergencies but are unlikely to attend less serious incidents.
Divisional Officer Neil Fenwick said: "We have excellent contingency arrangements in place and everyone should continue to dial 999 as usual safe in the knowledge that crews will attend, but business can take a few extra precautions to help us keep them safe during this short strike."
Keith Handscomb, of the East Anglia Fire Brigades Union, said: "Responding to terrorist attacks, flash-floods, rescuing people and their families from car, train and plane crashes - and of course fighting fires inside very hot, smoke-filled, burning buildings - is a dangerous, dirty and physically demanding job.
"It's not a job for the faint-hearted and, as the Government's own expert evidence shows, it's not a job firefighters can perform at the high fitness levels required up to the age of 60.
"But despite their own expert report highlighting the dangers the Government has decided 60 year old firefighters it will be.
"The same expert evidence also points out that up to two-thirds of firefighters will face the sack in their late 50's as a result before they can even reach their new pension age. The whole situation is ludicrous.
