FIREFIGHTERS are outraged at Keith Mitchell’s claim they oppose changes to Oxfordshire’s fire cover because it will disrupt their second jobs.

More than 30 members of the Fire Brigades Union from Abingdon and Didcot marched on County Hall on Tuesday to protest at Oxfordshire County Council’s proposals to replace two full-time firefighters at both stations with part-time firemen on weekday evenings and at weekends.

As part of the shake-up the number of fire engines in Oxford will be cut from five to four at weekends, with one moved from Rewley Road to Abingdon or Didcot between 8.30am and 5.30pm.

Managers claim the move will improve fire cover across the county and provide better value for money, but firefighters in Didcot and Abingdon say it will cause an “unacceptable increase” in emergency response times.

In a letter published in the Oxford Mail on Thursday, council leader Keith Mitchell said: “I do understand that some of our full-time firefighters may be unhappy about changes in their shift patterns impacting on their second jobs, but our first task is to ensure we offer the best and most consistent fire cover across the whole county.”

Chairman of the FBU in Oxfordshire, Steve Allen, said: “It’s outrageous to claim that firefighters are objecting to this proposal on the basis of personal circumstances.

“Firefighters in Didcot and Abingdon, both wholetime and retained, state these proposals will mean an unacceptable increase in the time taken for a fire engine to get to those people who are faced with a life threatening emergency.”

Mr Allen said the comments were discussed by firefighters at a union meeting in Rewley Road on Thursday in which representatives from every station in the county attended.

He said: “There was indignation, disappointment and a certain amount of disbelief that the leader of the council would make such statements publicly. Firefighters up and down the county will be putting pen to paper to write their disapproval to Mr Mitchell.”

The council’s fire service budget for next year is £24m, an increase of £220,000.

The extra cash is being spent on additional watch managers which the council says will deliver a better retained firefighter system.

Mr Mitchell said: “These proposals would lead to an overall improvement in retained service response standards across the county.

“Oxfordshire would be better protected as a whole.”

The decision on whether to make the proposed changes to the county’s fire cover will take place at County Hall on Wednesday, March 17.