FAQs

We received questions about the consultation that caused us to examine the section within the public consultation document regarding station closures (p.16). We realised that we could clarify that the forecasted response time changes from station closures related Oxfordshire-wide impacts. Additionally, we realised that there was a typo regarding the average annual number of incidents that Henley had attended across Oxfordshire during the period analysed and we have updated the incorrect original figure of 66 to the correct figure of 77. This approach reflects the county council’s ongoing commitment to openness and integrity.

Depending on the final decision – following the public consultation – if there are changes, then a dedicated implementation team will be formed to supervise the introduction of the new operational model. We will work collaboratively with all relevant stakeholders, prioritising the wellbeing and support of staff during each stage of the process.

The review aims to redistribute resources to match risk more effectively and it is forecasted that we will be able to reduce response times overall. It is projected that in the Oxford city district, first-on-scene fire engine response time to fires and road traffic collisions could increase by 48 seconds, from 8 minutes 19 seconds to 9 minutes 7 seconds. However, this is still faster than all the other districts we cover. The four other districts will all see improvements in their response time based on our plans for the new operational model.

No closures have been confirmed, however, three on-call fire stations – Woodstock, Eynsham, Henley – are being considered for closure due to persistent low fire engine availability. This is because, despite the dedication of our on-call employees, the pressures of modern life often mean that they are unable to commit to offering the hours that they once might have (they make themselves available based on their outside of the fire service work and family commitments). These closures, should they proceed, are forecast to have a minimal impact on overall response performance due to the ability to deliver a fire engine response from surrounding stations, which is already often the case.

Rural and lower density urban areas in Oxfordshire have historically had longer fire engine response times. To address this and improve their response times, the proposals include changing five currently on-call stations – in Bicester, Chipping Norton, Faringdon, Wallingford (or Crowmarsh site relocated from Wallingford) and Witney – into fire stations that also have a wholetime (fulltime) crew during the day. This will improve emergency response in these areas as well as enabling a higher level of prevention and protection work to take place to reduce community risk

During the daytime, there will be greater guaranteed fire engine availability due to redeploying wholetime firefighters onto day shifts in strategic areas. At nighttime, there will be greater reliance on on-call employees. With on-call availability at night in Oxfordshire being historically very good, the changes proposed should enable recruitment and staff retention efforts for on-call crews to focus on these nighttime hours at those day shift fire stations that would have wholetime resources in the daytime only – Chipping Norton, Faringdon, Wallingford/Crowmarsh.

The changes to the building estate will enable us to decarbonise fire stations to a greater extent and with a reduced building estate, CO2 emissions should fall.

The proposed changes could potentially result in some on-call employees being made redundant unless they are able to transfer to other fire stations, which would be our preferred outcome. If a redundancy situation arises, then the council will seek to minimise redundancies by considering all suitable alternative roles available.

The safety and wellbeing of everyone is important to us. The revised operational model is designed to improve response times to dwelling fires, commercial fires, road traffic collisions, and outdoor fires, surpassing the performance of our current framework. These incident types have been identified as among the highest risk. 

As part of the consultation process, we will collaborate with representatives from key community groups to ensure that the voices of key stakeholders are heard through the public consultation.

Like many other emergency services, including fire and rescue across the UK, we strive to deliver the best service possible within budget constraints. Saving money was not a driver for the review that was undertaken. However, we have looked to identify ways in which we could use our financial resource more effectively through reinvestment.

No – This review was driven by a need for us to improve fire engine availability and to look for ways to provide a quicker emergency response to the public. The review therefore focuses on the parts of the fire and rescue service that relate to crewing fire engines.

As part of the His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services judgment criteria, we are required to demonstrate ‘how well we understand the risk of fire and other emergencies’ as well as ‘how effective we are at responding to fires and other emergencies.’ The fire and rescue cover model changes will enable us to demonstrate that we have the appropriate range of resources, people and equipment available to respond to personal, property and environmental risk and we are able to manage fairly the deployment – and temporary redeployment – of resources to meet operational need.

The public consultation will run until the 20 January 2026. The service will review the feedback and prepare a report for Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet. This report will be considered alongside a range of other information, for example financial information, legal information, an equalities impact assessment, a climate impact assessment etc. at a public meeting in spring 2026 at which a decision will be made about the implementation of any changes.

If changes to the operational model were agreed, it is expected that changes would not start to take place until the beginning of the 2027 calendar year at the earliest. Any proposal that includes the development of new buildings would take longer to implement.

An important part of this review has been to understand what the risk is for the people and businesses of Oxfordshire. Reviewing this risk, and with further input from the public during the forthcoming consultation, will enable us to identify better ways to locate our resources to ensure that we can improve fire engine availability and response performance.

To reflect true availability and avoid overestimating on-call availability. This improves accuracy in modelling and planning.

Yes. Mutual aid agreements with other county fire and rescue services would remain in place. Large scale incident planning is part of our resilience strategy.

Under the proposals, shift patterns will be altered for some fire and rescue service employees and will be subject to separate staff consultation; a preference exercise with as much support provided to staff as possible.

Work-life balance is a key consideration of the proposals. Whilst all employees will have different requirements to help balance their lives in and out of work, the new shift patterns will be subject to a separate staff consultation which will include understanding the impact on staff.

We understand that organisational change can feel uncertain and stressful. Staff wellbeing is a priority throughout this process. If we move forward with any changes, supporting staff wellbeing will be a top priority. We will ensure that comprehensive support is available, and we will ensure that access to occupational health and other support services is maintained and strengthened—helping both employees and their families. From the start, we’ve aimed for a “no surprises” approach. We’ll keep providing clear, structured updates and opportunities for staff and families to ask questions and share concerns.

Through consultation, close FBU (the Fire Brigades Union) engagement, and clear criteria for decision making.

This is based on risk, effectiveness, and efficiency. Detailed modelling has been carried out and underpins the proposals.

There will be ongoing dialogue with the FBU throughout the consultation and into the implementation of any changes that are later agreed through the council’s cabinet.

We’ve decided to involve all stakeholders at the same time through this public consultation. We value the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) as the professional voice of firefighters, so we shared information with them as early as possible—before the council’s cabinet made its final decision on which proposals would go out for consultation. We continue to welcome their input, along with feedback from all employees, throughout this process.

As part of our ongoing work to ensure that fire stations, resources and people are in the right place at the right time, we have been working closely with Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service who are also developing a separate review. 

Our coordinated approach to attending emergencies across the Thames Valley – Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire – means there is always a prompt response to emergencies with crews attending incidents outside of their county where necessary. This approach will continue, the fire engine best placed to reach the reported incident the quickest will always be the one that is sent.