Bonnyrigg firefighter and union delegate Brendan Rea says residents could be left vulnerable to firebugs.

Mr Rea said support stations might not be able to cope if a local station were closed for the day.

He said firefighters would wait for the Industrial Relations Commission's decision this week before deciding on strike action.

``We've been trying to renegotiate our agreement with the State Government since February, but they're only offering us a pay increase of 2.5percent this year, 2.75percent in 2009 and 2.75percent for 2010,'' Mr Rea said.

``With inflation over 4percent, possibly higher, it's our turn for a pay rise in line with the costs of living.''

A recent spate of attacks on palm and pine trees in front of homes has Bonnyrigg Fire Station chief Steve May worried.

``The Government also wants to cut allowances for travelling firemen who cover for firemen who are off sick, instead closing the station for the day and sending remaining staff to other stations,'' Mr May said.

``If Bonnyrigg station closed, then trucks from Smithfield, Busby and Cabramatta would have to cover the nearly 50 incidents of these trees lit in the last month.

``They take only a few minutes to turn into fireballs and set homes alight it's only a matter of time until there's serious loss of property or loss of life.''

Emergency Services Minister Nathan Rees said there would be no ``permanent'' closure of fire stations.