Oxfordshire County Council is proposing dangerous cuts to Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service that will put lives at risk.
What is being cut?
- Three fire stations closed – Eynsham, Woodstock, and Henley
- Rewley Road and Kidlington Fire Stations merged
- Six fire engines removed
- A minimum of 42 firefighter posts cut
These are not small savings: they are cuts to life-saving services.
How will this affect you?
- At night, only five fire engines will cover all of Oxfordshire.
- Response times are already nearly 2 minutes behind the national average. Cuts will make it worse.
- Fewer skilled firefighters, less equipment, and closed fire stations will make it harder for the fire service to respond effectively and save lives.
Your ballot. Your voice.
An indicative ballot for industrial action is now open. Every Oxfordshire wholetime and retained firefighter will receive a postal ballot at their home address.
This is our chance to send a clear message to management and politicians: abandon the cuts. Our safety, and our communities' safety, is non-negotiable.
The ballot closes on Monday 30 March. Return your postal ballot as soon as possible and vote YES.
If you haven't received your ballot paper, please email [email protected] by 11am on Tuesday 24 March with your full name, home address, and membership number so that your details can be checked and a replacement ballot issued.
How can you help?
Write to your councillor and call on them to reject the cuts.
Write to your MP and call on them to lobby the Fire Minister for more funding.
Fill out the consultation before 20th January 2026 - tell Oxfordshire County Council and Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service that your safety must never come at the cost of budget cuts.
