Fire risk plan could see changes at Chipping Norton Fire Station

The plan outlines the current and future risks in the county and outlines how the service will address them over the coming five years.

People are also being consulted on a one-year plan which identifies the service’s priorities for the coming year.

The one-year plan includes proposals to remove the second fire engine from Chipping Norton Fire Station, following a reduction in the number of calls requiring the engine, and reviewing the county’s key on-call fire stations, which includes Chipping Norton.

Julian Green, group manager strategic risk and assurance at Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “This five year plan is our analysis of the county’s community risk profile, together with our strategic approach of how we intend to effectively manage those risks over the period, in delivering a safer Oxfordshire.

“I would urge people to get involved in the consultation and tell us what they think. Have we highlighted the right risks? Is anything missing? We are also looking for feedback on our proposed plans to address the risks identified and any ideas for what we could do differently.”

The consultation runs until January 9.

Over recent years, the service has struggled to find enough personnel to crew Chipping Norton’s second fire engine due to difficulties in recruiting and retaining on-call firefighters from the local area. The number of calls for the second engine has been low, a total of six in 2014-15.

The service also plans to review incident data and risk at the county’s key on-call fire stations to see if there needs to be changes to existing fire cover provision. The review will lead to a new set of key fire stations being identified.

A service community and impact assessment to accompany the SCRMA said: “This project may have a positive affect on Chipping Norton should it not be classed as a key station as it will make the appliance available more readily for standbys and reliefs at incidents throughout the county due to no knock on standby being required at their home station.”

To take part visit consultations.oxfordshire.gov.uk/consult.ti/CRMP2017/consultationHome.