FIREFIGHTERS are urging people to speak out against cuts to fire cover in Didcot and Abingdon that they say could cost lives.

Oxfordshire County Council wants both towns’ fire stations to rely more heavily on part-time, retained firefighters, who will have to rush to the station from their homes to respond to emergencies on weekday evenings and weekends.

Managers say the proposals to cut two full-time firefighters’ posts at both stations would improve cover for the rest of Oxfordshire. But crews say it will slow response times to major incidents in the two towns.

Fire Brigades Union Oxfordshire branch chairman Steve Allen said: “Because we have fewer fires than in the past, some people say we need fewer firefighters and fire engines.

“But a fire is a fire. You need the same level of response to don breathing apparatus and go into a building to rescue people. If you don’t, it’s unsafe.”

He warned delays in responding to fires could leave people dying inside blazing buildings, while fire crews could be prompted to risk dangerous rescues without back-up.

He said: “If you’re in a house fire and it’s the smoke killing you and a three-minute delay, you would lose your life, rather than survive. That three minutes is the average difference in response time between a full-timer and a retained firefighter.

“Feelings are running quite high among FBU members at the stations about these proposals, but they’re part of a bigger picture.”

One Didcot pensioner, who rescued a neighbour from her smoke-filled home in November, said she would fight against any cuts that could delay firefighters’ response times.

Janet Looker, 69, of Richmere Road, Didcot, helped rescue Laura Delaney after she passed out when a frying pan left on her cooker caught fire.

Mrs Looker said: “The firefighters do a damn good job and they shouldn’t be cut.

“When they turned up to help, they were there in minutes. If it had been more serious, they would have got there in time to save a life. I can’t stress enough how desperately they are needed.”

Mr Allen urged worried residents to speak out at public meetings at Didcot Civic Hall on Monday, January 11, at 7pm, and Abingdon Guildhall on Friday, January 15, at 7pm.

He said industrial action was unlikely and that they were in talks with managers.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Dave Etheridge said: “We believe these changes would allow us to make the best possible use of our resources, while still ensuring a high level of fire cover for Abingdon and Didcot.

“The changes would not result in fewer fire engines in these areas or fewer firefighters who ride the fire engines, although it is acknowledged that there would potentially be marginal changes for short periods in our response times to Didcot and Abingdon.”

The council believes the changes, which will see the four firefighters moved to other stations, would improve emergency response across Oxfordshire and provide better value for money.

Public consultation on the plans lasts until January 31.