Residents and businesses across Oxfordshire are being invited to work in partnership with the county’s fire and rescue service to help shape its future, following strong public support during a recent consultation.
Fire stations in Henley, Eynsham and Woodstock had been under consideration for closure due to low availability of on-call crews. However, feedback gathered between October 2025 and January 2026 demonstrated significant community backing for retaining these stations.
Rob MacDougall, Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer, said:
“Thank you to everyone who shared their views, we received well over a thousand responses.
“It’s apparent, having read and listened carefully to those who gave their feedback during the consultation, that local people are keen to support existing fire stations in their towns and villages.
“Building on that brilliant community support, today [21 April] Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet approved plans to work with communities to support recruitment at on-call stations, particularly in Henley, Woodstock and Eynsham.
“This is with the aim of increasing on-call firefighter numbers, so the fire engines are more often available for emergency callouts.”
The consultation focused on addressing challenges with daytime fire engine availability, when demand and risk are typically at their highest. The service will now continue exploring ways to improve response times, strengthen resilience, increase daytime cover, and expand fire prevention work.
Further engagement with employees and the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) is planned to help shape how the proposals will be implemented in practice.
On-call firefighters play a crucial role in the service, balancing everyday jobs and responsibilities while remaining ready to respond to emergencies. As a result, recruits must live or work close to their designated fire station.
Cabinet members also agreed to withdraw a proposal to remove the second fire engine at Thame fire station. The suggestion had been based on low crew availability and the vehicle attending fewer than 20 incidents annually.
Read more: Fire station closure plans dropped after public feedback in Oxfordshire
The decision allows time to review consultation feedback alongside similar proposals from Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, particularly given the proximity of Thame and Haddenham stations.
Plans for a new fire station north of Oxford have been paused due to uncertainties around developer negotiations and the need for further consultation. Rewley Road fire station will continue operating as normal, with no timeline yet set for a final decision.
Councillor Neil Fawcett, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Resources, said:
“I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to the consultation, from employees to residents, businesses and politicians. The response to the consultation has highlighted how important our fire service is to local communities and the value residents place on the dedication and commitment of crews.”
