Firefighters have demanded that councillors reverse their decision to hire senior managers with no experience of the fire service.

A rally was held by firefighters outside the county council on Tuesday (July 11) after a role was advertised for a station manager in the region which required no experience of work in the fire and rescue sector as part of a new scheme called ‘Direct Entry’.

The Fire Brigades Union Oxfordshire Brigade Committee has condemned the scheme and firefighters from fire stations across the region have voted to oppose it.

Oxford Mail: Firefighters outside County HallFirefighters outside County Hall (Image: The Fire Brigades Union)

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Steve Wright, the union’s executive council member for the southern region, said: “When the worst happens and the public needs protecting from a major fire, we all assume that firefighters responding will know how to fight a fire.

“However, ‘Direct Entry’ means that people with absolutely no experience of the fire service will be parachuted into crucial senior positions.

“Just imagine taking charge of a major operation without having ever attended one as a firefighter.”

Oxford Mail: Firefighters at a council meetingFirefighters at a council meeting (Image: Fire Brigades Union)

Mr Wright said that firefighters should be “trained up to develop as leaders in the service” and said the scheme “adds insult to injury by cutting opportunities while putting the public at risk”.

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He called for the service to see sense and drop the scheme.

A public petition which called on the leader of Oxfordshire County Council to stop direct entry into Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has already had 1,029 signatures.

Oxford Mail: Firefighters protestingFirefighters protesting (Image: Fire Brigades Union)

Oxfordshire is one of seven UK fire and rescue services to pilot the contested new National Fire Chief Council (NFCC) promoted scheme.

Firefighters across the UK have warned against the scheme, with Greater Manchester FRS dropping it following local objections.

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Oxford Mail: Firefighters outside County HallFirefighters outside County Hall (Image: Fire Brigades Union)

A council spokesman emphasised these direct entry schemes were already utilised in other sectors such as the police, NHS and the military.

He said: “A recruit to this role is expected to acquire and demonstrate skills and expertise in management, including leading and directing at major incidents.

“This is part of a national trial and Oxfordshire is one of seven fire and rescue services taking part.

“Our main aim is to provide a different route of entry into the role of fire station manager, alongside the more traditional internal promotional path.

"It is a great way to diversify senior management, adding to the incredible skill base we already have among our existing leaders.

“The plan is that the scheme will draw new perspectives and experiences from a recruit who might not ordinarily have considered a career in fire and rescue being open or attractive to them.”

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Ed specialises in writing political stories for the Oxford Mail and The Oxford Times. 

He joined in the team in February 2023, after completing a History undergraduate degree at the University of York and studying for his NCTJ diploma in London.

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