Firefighters 'blindsided' by proposed closures

The Fire Brigades Union say the plans "present dangers for both the public and firefighters"

Firefighters have been "blindsided" by proposals to close stations and relocate fire engines in Oxfordshire, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has said.

A 12-week public consultation aiming to shape the future of Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service began on Tuesday.

Among the proposals being considered are the relocation of firefighters and fire engines away from larger stations, and the potential closure altogether of three stations.

Chris Wycherley, from the FBU, told the BBC that the plans "present dangers for both the public and firefighters".

He said the "length and breadth of the changes being proposed" were "unmanageable and unworkable".

Mr Wycherley said the fire service were "not matching fire stations to risk - they're matching them to peak demand, and that completely discounts the dangers presented to the public overnight.

"What we could see under these proposals is an exodus of firefighters, and even worse recruitment and retention in Oxfordshire."

He said the proposals were a "disaster for the public of Oxfordshire", adding: "Closing fire stations and removing fire engines is unacceptable."

"We're not in a position to lose resources - what we need is urgent investment in the fire and rescue service."

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said the consultation would seek views on a range of proposals designed to "match resources to risk, improve community safety and futureproof the service".

It includes plans to move fire engines from Rewley Road station, in Oxford, and Kidlington to a new station in north Oxford.

No closures have been confirmed as part of the proposals, but the service said on-call stations at Woodstock, Eynsham and Henley-on-Thames were being considered for shutdown due to "persistent low fire engine availability".

It added that there were currently more fire engines and firefighters available at night, when demand was lowest, compared to during the day when crews were busiest.