County council’s cabinet to consider plans for future of fire and rescue service
The county council's cabinet will be asked to consider and approve recommendations for the future of Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service at a meeting on 17 November 2026, following consideration by its scrutiny committee on Wednesday 21 October 2026.
This follows employee engagement work, and a 13 week public consultation that took place between October 2025 and January 2026.
The recommendations are designed to ensure that fire and rescue resources are located where they can best meet current and future needs across the county.
Rob MacDougall, Oxfordshire County Council’s fire and rescue service’s Chief Fire Officer, said: “Our aim is to provide a more sustainable service for the future, improve emergency response times, strengthen community safety and ensure resources are located where they can have greatest impact and benefit.
“We listened carefully to communities and colleagues during the consultation. I’m extremely grateful for everyone’s contribution, helping us to refine and develop these recommendations.”
A key part of the proposals is the redistribution of fulltime staff to crew fire stations during daytime periods in Bicester, Chipping Norton, Faringdon, Witney and Henley.
These fire stations would have fulltime firefighters based there during the day, providing a more consistent and reliable emergency response when the service is typically at its busiest.
Having fulltime firefighters based in these locations during the day would also increase ability to carry out prevention, protection and wider community safety activities such as safe and well visits.
The recommendations, if approved, would also retain two fire engines in Oxford at Rewley Road fire station.
Councillor Neil Fawcett , Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: "These proposals are about making sure Oxfordshire has a fire and rescue service that is ready for the future and able to meet the needs of our communities.
“This includes adapting to risks associated with climate change such as wildfires. I’m confident what is being recommended will mean that crews are even better positioned to deal with a range of environmental challenges.
"The proposals have been shaped by what we've heard from residents, partners and our firefighters.
"I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to take part in the recent consultation; your feedback has helped us develop and improve these plans.”
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