Councillor Llew Monger was scheduled to chair an extraordinary meeting of the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire Authority. The main item for discussion was listed as an update on the On-Call Improvement Programme, a key part of the Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) 2025–2030. The meeting was also scheduled to cover standard items such as apologies, disclosure of interests, chairman's announcements, petitions, and questions.

On-Call Improvement Programme Update

The Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire Authority were scheduled to receive an update on the On-Call Improvement Programme. According to the report pack, the programme is intended to address challenges in the availability, sustainability, and operational effectiveness of the on-call firefighter model across Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes.

The On-Call Improvement Programme includes the following elements:

• Contract management
• Specialist vehicle reviews
• Workforce planning
• Recruitment

The report pack notes that the Fire Authority may make a decision in November 2025 regarding a formal public consultation on the future of the on-call service. Preparatory work has been undertaken, including engagement with members, staff, and representative bodies, with focus groups supported by Opinion Research Services (ORS).

Historical Context

The report pack included some historical context to the On-Call Improvement Programme, noting that the challenges surrounding on-call firefighter availability have been a persistent issue for over a decade. Since 2010, the Fire Authority has attempted to address these challenges with varying degrees of success. Previous initiatives include:

• Appointment of a dedicated On-Call Officer in 2010
• Development of Operational Resourcing (DoOR) Programme (2016-2019)
• Recruitment Personas and Targeted Campaigns in 2022
• Improved Access to Funding for Acquisition Training in 2024/25

Full-Size (Type B) Pump Optimisation Workstream

The report pack states that the Full-Size (Type B) Pump Optimisation Workstream is progressing well, and approaching a key milestone of Fire Authority Approval for a 10-week public consultation period. ¹

Opinion Research Services (ORS) have been commissioned to assist in preparing the consultation materials and are leading the public focus group sessions.

The report pack notes that the consultation question relating to on-call improvement (Shaping our Future Service) will focus on a single, clear question, as opposed to a range of options, to ensure clarity for the public.

The project team has developed a series of evidence-based early proposals aimed at stimulating the discussion around improving the sustainability and effectiveness of the On-call model, that considers current and future risk and demand, demographic trends, the availability and recruitment challenges of On-Call staff, and the need to ensure the most appropriate use of public money.

The report pack notes that Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) holds 30 type B pumps (traditional fire engines) available through full-time or On-Call staffing models, and that the service is exploring options to consolidate these resources and restructure the On-Call system.

The current cost of On-Call staff is circa £1.2 million a year, and even if BFRS could make 18 On-Call pumps consistently viable, data tells us this would have limited impact on the overall response standard and would remain unaffordable under the current establishment model.

The report pack also notes that there are currently two MP-led local campaigns which were published on 26 September 2025 as an aside to early engagement activity undertaken by officers. These campaigns focus on two specific options which came into the public domain, and the report pack clarifies that these options were the founding basis for early engagement with employees, representative bodies, Fire Authority Members and the public focus groups, and are being further developed because of those sessions.

Modernising and Improving On-Call Delivery

The report pack states that this part of the improvement programme is focused on addressing long-standing issues with availability, sustainability, and operational effectiveness of the On-Call model.

A key aspect of modernising On-Call delivery has been the robust management, review and amendment of employment contracts, in close collaboration with staff.

As part of the Annual Plan objective, a dedicated review of specialist vehicle capability is underway, and several operational changes have already been implemented and are proving effective:

• The relocation of the Operational Support Unit to Olney has led to improved appliance availability and introduced a new employment proposition for staff in that area.
• The centralisation of the current Water Carrier provision at Princes Risborough has had some success.

The report pack also notes that traditional recruitment methods have yielded limited success in recent years, and that officers are currently trialling new approaches, including targeted campaigns, community-based engagement, and digital outreach.

Effective workforce planning is essential to improving the reliability and sustainability of the On-Call model, and the People Services team has led work to develop a more detailed and dynamic understanding of On-Call workforce capacity across the service.

The report pack states that ensuring On-Call firefighters maintain the necessary skills and competencies is a critical component of the improvement programme, and that the service has implemented robust monitoring of training attendance and maintenance of competence.

As part of the On-Call Improvement Programme, targeted capital investment is being used to modernise infrastructure, improve training capability, and support a more inclusive and resilient workforce. Work has already been completed to remove drill towers at Brill and Princes Risborough, and subject to planning approval, a new drill tower is planned for Princes Risborough.

The On-Call Improvement Programme includes a focus on enhancing digital systems to better support workforce management, availability planning, and operational deployment.