Ambulance staff in the North are threatening strike action over what they say is a plan to shut at least two of four control rooms that handle 999 calls.
The local leadership of their Unison union is seeking
permission to ballot members working at the centres in Belfast, Derry, Antrim and Craigavon on industrial action.
Mr Paddy Milligan, secretary of the health service union Ambulance branch, warned: "If it goes as far as all-out strike there will be mayhem.
"If staff walk out of the control rooms you would have ambulances but no-one to tell them where to go. You are talking about an ineffective Ambulance Service."
Under the health service rationalisation plans, all accident and emergency calls would be handled at one centre in Knockbracken, south east Belfast, Mr Milligan claimed.
The control room at Altnagelvin in Derry would be kept open for minibuses that transport outpatients, while Craigavon and Antrim would both be closed, he alleged.
Mr Milligan also said there had been no consultation on the matter.
PA