Retained firefighters say it is looking more and more likely that an all-out strike will happen next Tuesday.
Rolling strikes at half the country's fire stations will continue until Monday night, when a full strike will begin at midnight unless a row over pay and conditions is resolved.
SIPTU said on Tuesday night that retained firefighters are "universally angry" after Minister Darragh O'Brien told the Dáil that matters relating to pay could not be addressed until public sector pay talks begin.
Senior fire officers are warning that understaffed crews are facing burnout and say the Minister's statement could lead to more firefighters leaving the service.
Speaking to RedFM News, Station Officer at Mallow Fire Station Jonathan Madden says retained firefighters feel very let down by the lack of progress.
"We're really into something I never thought I'd see.
"Yesterday was the first day on the picket line in Mallow, it was the first time in my career, and other colleagues that I spoke to as well.
"I was very upset yesterday morning to walk up and down the road in my local town, where I've been involved with the fire service for 23 years, I've given a lot and my family have given a lot, and to have had to go out there and picket."
