The Fire Brigades Union held a rally of firefighters outside Oxfordshire’s County Hall yesterday, in opposition to the County Council’s plans that could cut fire stations, fire engines and firefighter posts.
The Labour and Co-operative Group on Oxfordshire County Council believes that firefighters are best placed to know the risks to their local communities and we want their voices to be heard.
These proposals were put forward without any consultation with or input from the Fire Brigades Union. The Labour and Co-operative Group therefore supports the demand that the Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service return to the table with the Fire Brigades Union to find real and effective solutions for the Service’s future.
The Labour and Co-operative Group shares the FBU’s concerns that the existing proposals will lead to:
- closure of a number of fire stations (including Eynsham, Woodstock and Henley as well as the possible merger of Rewley Road, Oxford and Kidlington)
- the forced redundancy of up to 42 firefighters
- reduced night time cover with only five fire engines guaranteed to be available to
cover the whole of Oxfordshire - slower response times and weaker back up
- less protection for our communities
Cllr Geoff Saul
Shadow Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing and Safety
Labour and Co-operative Group
Read Anneliese Dodds MP’s statement at www.anneliesedodds.org.uk/anneliese-joins-firefighters-union-fight-against-cuts/
