Following the feedback recieved in the public consultation on the proposed changes to Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Oxfordshire County Council are to re-shape their proposals to avoid closing any existing fire stations.
Eynsham Fire Station was one of three potentially lined up for closure in original proposals. Due to the strong response from the public in the consultation, which alerted the County Council to the key role local fire stations play within the community, the proposals will be amended.
The newly-shaped proposals will be discussed at the County Council Cabinet on 21 April. These proposals continue to be focused on trying to address the ongoing challenges of day-time fire engine availability, when demand and risk are highest.
Rob MacDougall, Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who shared their views on our proposals during the public consultation. We received over a thousand responses, and it was important that we listened carefully to what people told us.”
Rob added that the new proposals “will include reviewing and adapting our recruitment campaigns at Eynsham, Henley and Woodstock, with the aim of increasing on-call firefighter numbers and improving fire engine availability.”