Firefighters’ union considering strike action in Oxfordshire over proposed changes to county’s fire service

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service launched a public consultation asking for opinions on plans to potentially close three stations, introduce 12-hour-shifts for firefighters, and make 42 firefighters redundant.

More than 100 protestors stood outside County Hall on Tuesday, December 9, calling for the proposals to be scrapped.

But representatives of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) were told the consultation would not be withdrawn, in a meeting with Chief Fire Officer Rob MacDougall and council chief executive Martin Reeves during the protest.

Among the proposals are plans to move firefighters and fire engines away from larger stations, including Banbury’s Cope Road station.

Mr MacDougall said: “We’re trying to find the best way forward for a variety of issues – we understand the change will have an impact on firefighters, which is why we’re going through a consultation.

But Chris Wycherly, executive council member at the FBU, said it was “deeply concerning” that Oxfordshire fire and rescue would not change direction.

He said: “Ultimately, we need to look at our own escalation, and we will be having conversations with our members about industrial action.

“It’s not a decision any firefighter would ever take lightly, but that’s evident of the seriousness and the consequences of these proposals on firefighter and public safety.

“Members of communities that we have spoken to are taking it seriously. Firefighters are taking it seriously.

“The only people who aren’t are the people in charge of the purse strings and their decision-making.”

Mr Wycherly also said that firefighters could leave the service if proposed cuts and station closures go ahead.

“Over half of all firefighters we have spoken to tell us that they would actively look to leave the fire and rescue service, and over 70 per cent of them say they have had a decrease in mental health as a consequence of these proposals," he added.

“Our firefighters are supposed to be the crown jewel of the council, but they are not being treated that way.”

Mark Chapman, FBU secretary for the southern region, has been a firefighter for more than 25 years, said: “These proposals are going to have a devastating effect, not just on the fire service but also on communities.

“Our concern is that the elderly, the disabled, won’t be able to save themselves and we will have to travel for a greater distance at a time to rescue those people.

“Cutting 42 firefighters from the front line will have an impact on their safety.”

Chief Fire Officer Mr MacDougall said: “Industrial action is very concerning, and we want to try and avoid that if we can.

“The reality is that the FBU and members have the right to strike if they choose to.

“We’re currently going through a consultation process. None of these proposals are decisions, they are proposals.”

He added: “What we’re trying to do here is improve our fire and rescue service.

“We have got fantastic on-call firefighters across Oxfordshire , but what we’re seeing is a drop in availability during the day, which in turn leads to a reduction in our response times.

“These proposals are all about how we can reallocate our resources in a better way, to make sure we’ve got firefighters to fire engines in the right place at the right time, in order to give better response times to communities in Oxfordshire.

“We know we need to make changes, which everyone accepts, and we are asking all of our colleagues to fill in the consultation, which will allow us to look at what the next steps will be.”

Another issue raised was engagement, with several councillors calling for Oxfordshire firefighters to be better engaged in proposals to make changes to the service.

The FBU previously criticised the fire and rescue service for not engaging with them enough before the consultation was made public.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service previously said they remain committed to engaging with the union throughout the consultation process.

In a statement, the Labour group on the county council said the “firefighters are best placed to know the risks to their local communities, and we want their voices to be heard”.

They added that they “supports the demand that the Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service return to the table with the Fire Brigades Union to find real and effective solutions for the Service’s future”.

Oxfordshire County Council’s plans threaten to close fire stations in Eynsham, Woodstock and Henley and remove six fire engines.

Rewley Road and Kidlington fire stations could also be merged into one base in Oxford, with a special rescue vehicle to be cut from Kidlington.

At night, only five fire engines will be guaranteed to be available to cover all of Oxfordshire, while 14 firefighters could lose their homes in Kidlington as a result of the plans for Oxford.

Labour councillor Geoffrey Saul, shadow cabinet member for community wellbeing and safety, said: “I represent Chipping Norton, where we have a very dedicated day-time on-call fire crew, who would effectively be potentially made redundant, because they would be replaced by a whole-time fire crew.

“We do appreciate that there needs to be a review of the whole service, but it needs to take everyone with them rather than come up with bureaucratic plans.”

Councillor Andy Graham, who represents Woodstock and is the leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “It would be sad to see the fire station close, but if that doesn’t diminish the fire service that we want, then we want what’s best.

“The consultation is on now, let it continue, but let’s actually ensure that the FBU’s views are taken on, as well as the consultation, then that’s a win-win for everyone.”

The consultation is open until January 20.