Fire crew train with under-threat rescue vehicle

Firefighters have filmed a training day with a specialist rescue appliance, amid concerns they may lose it under council plans.

Under proposed changes to Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Oxfordshire County Council says the vehicle currently based at Kidlington Fire Station would be "removed from service" and the council would "review how we deliver specialist rescue services using other fire engines".

Chris Wycherley, an executive council member at the Fire Brigades Union, said disbanding the tender would lead to a "massive" loss of experience and skills.

Rob MacDougall, the county's chief fire officer, said they were having conversations to understand the impact.

In the video, Kidlington firefighters are seen using the specialist vehicle which had been "engineered to meet the unique risks of Oxfordshire".

"It's not something that can be delivered or transported into different locations at the drop of a hat," Wycherley said.

He added the firefighters were "deeply concerned and worried".

"I think the frustration for those individuals is that there's a complete lack of recognition for the value in which they offer."

Wycherley added that certain skills, such as boat rescues and technical rope operations, could not be completed or concluded with a standard fire appliance.

"If this rescue tender was to be disbanded the loss of experience and skills and knowledge will be massive," he said.

But MacDougall said the local authority was "certainly not looking to lose" the rescue capabilities.

The council's plans include relocation of crews away from larger stations and changes in shift patterns.

This is with view of improving response times.

"One of the options is around a North Oxford location for a fire station," MacDougall said.

"If we do that, we would look to bring Rewley Road Fire Station at the centre of Oxford and Kidlington Fire Station together into one brand new station."

According to Wycherley, more than 70% of the union's members were talking about "either actively leaving Oxfordshire or looking at other opportunities".

"When you take whole-time appliances down overnight from a guarantee of seven to five, you deliver worse outcomes for the public," he said.

"This is a public safety issue and it's a firefight safety issue."

The union is considering taking industrial action over the proposals.

MacDougall said the council would "do our best to have those conversations to make sure we avoid it".

"We're listening to all of our colleagues to understand the consequences, the impacts, and also other ideas that are coming through around this."

The consultation closes on 20 January.

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