Plans to reshape Oxfordshire fire service ‘putting public safety at risk’, says fire brigades union
A public consultation into the plans has opened from today
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) says plans to reshape the future of Oxfordshire Fire Service is putting the public's safety at risk and has left many firefighters feeling "a huge amount of anger and frustration".
The proposals into Oxfordshire’s fire service cover model aim to ensure resources are in the right place at the right time to meet the needs of communities and improve the safety of the service.
It also includes potential station closures, removal of fire appliances, redeployment of staff, and changes to established duty systems.
A public consultation into the plans has opened from today as the County Council seeks local residents’ views.
Chris Wycherley, FBU’s Executive Council Member in the Southern region said: “Our capacity and our ability to reduce fire deaths, loss of property, and responding to incidents in good time is going to be seriously diminished under these proposals.”
He added: "I've been speaking to firefighters today, some of which under these proposals will be losing houses, some being made redundant and some being moved across to shift systems which are unagreed, unworkable and untenable for our members.
“There's a huge amount of anger and frustration with firefighters in Oxfordshire and it's something that we will continue to discuss with our members as we progress.”
The union has also raised concerns saying it was “not properly consulted or engaged before the public and staff communications were issued”.
Mr Wycherley says, “we were blindsided by these proposals. They hadn't come across the Fire Brigades Union formally prior to Wednesday last week”.
Adding, “The FBU have been kept at arm's length. We have found out the official detail of these proposals the same time as the public did.”
A spokesperson for Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service denies the FBU were not properly consulted.
They said: “We have liaised with FBU colleagues, sharing what we could at the earliest opportunity while working through the council’s political governance process.
“FBU officials were briefed by us before the proposals were communicated to our wider employees and before they were shared with the public.
“We value the positive working relationship we have with the FBU, and the consultation process, beginning tomorrow (Tuesday), is intended to be open and transparent, with feedback from all parties actively sought and welcomed.
“And we remain committed to engaging with the FBU throughout the consultation period and beyond.”