RADICAL changes to the manning of Oxfordshire’s fire stations are being considered.

Bosses aim to address concerns that the existing system – which relies heavily on part-timers – will not provide enough cover.

Measures being look at include boosting the pay of those who commit to more hours on call.

Part-time firefighters might also be paid to work core hours at a particular station.

Allowing businesses which have staff working in the service to use a letterhead saying they support their local fire station is also being proposed.

Eighteen of the county’s fire stations are manned entirely by on-call staff – formerly known as ‘retained’.

While numbers have remained relatively static over the last seven years, fire chiefs say the economic climate makes businesses more reluctant to release people.

Brigade secretary for the Oxfordshire Fire Brigade Union, Steve Allen, said the proposals were at an early stage.

He said: “I am very supportive of any move to improve fire cover for the communities we serve, and it’s my job to ensure these things are thought through properly at every level and we check and balance any idea in the embryonic stage.

“There are concerns the FBU has about this sort of move – some counties have gone down this route and started to backtrack.”

Currently, on-call firefighters receive an annual stipend of about £1,494, plus additional fees for drill nights, callouts and extra duties totalling between £150 and £300 a month.

Another option being investigated is “more flexible use”of full-time and on-call staff, changing crew patterns so there could be full-time firefighters based at stations now run entirely by on-call staff.

Nigel Wilson, area manager for operations, said: “Our overall numbers may be steady but it’s getting the balance between the numbers and the coverage we need. We appreciate we can’t strip out businesses on a regular basis to make sure the fire engine gets out the door – we have to work with local companies.”

For the last seven years, between 34 and 45 people have left the service each year, leaving the total number as of Januaryat 348, with 243 full-time firefighters.

An action plan is being drawn up and will go to Oxfordshire County Council’s safer and stronger communities scrutiny committee.

The fire service is looking to increase numbers to 375 by July , with 17 on-call firefighters in training and a two further selection days planned to recruit additional staff. Historically, retained firefighters stayed with the service for about 20 years – now that number has dropped to seven. It takes 18 to 24 months and about £30,000 to train a firefighter.

Offering extra skills

Watch manager Nick Mason, 50, from Long Hanborough, joined the fire service as a retained firefighter eight years ago while running his own print business.

Since November, he has become a full-time firefighter as his day job, while also being on call for a further 80 hours each week.

He said: “It’s a job that gets you hooked.”

Mr Mason, who is involved in recruitment at Woodstock fire station, said he tried to highlight the advantages to employers – such as providing staff who are trained in health and safety, first aid, and risk assessing – while being realistic about the job.

He said: “It has downsides. Being on call can affect your homelife, but you usually only get called in the middle of the night maybe a couple of times a month.

“But it’s just a terrific job to do. You learn camaraderie, skills for life, team building, and it improves your standing in the community.”