The Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire Authority held an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday 18 March 2026. The primary item scheduled for discussion was a decision report concerning the On-Call Improvement Programme, which outlines proposed changes to the Service's On-Call fire engine and station provision.

On-Call Improvement Programme Decision Report

The report scheduled for discussion detailed final recommendations arising from the On-Call Improvement Programme, following a public consultation exercise. The proposals aimed to improve the reliability, resilience, and sustainability of the Service's On-Call system.

Key recommendations included:

• The removal of six On-Call crewed fire engines. This would involve the closure and decommissioning of Great Missenden Fire Station and Stokenchurch Fire Station, which have reportedly not provided a crewed On-Call response for several years. Additionally, On-Call fire engines at Amersham, Beaconsfield, High Wycombe, and the second On-Call fire engine at West Ashland were scheduled for removal.
• The repositioning of specialist vehicles to better align with local risk and operational needs. This includes the introduction of a Rural Firefighting Vehicle at Amersham, a Crew Welfare Unit at Beaconsfield, and a Rural Firefighting Vehicle at West Ashland.
• The retention and enhancement of On-Call capability at Buckingham through the provision of a dual-purpose 4x4 lightweight fire engine, offering rural firefighting capability as a replacement for the current On-Call fire engine.
• Delegation of the timing and phased implementation of approved changes to the Chief Fire Officer.
• Noting that recommendations for the future of the Great Missenden and Stokenchurch sites would be brought to the Executive Committee at a later date.
• Acknowledgement of consultation feedback regarding the operational independence of the Chief Fire Officer, with no changes to existing governance or delegation arrangements recommended as part of this report.

The report indicated that following these proposed changes, the Service would maintain a total of 24 crewed fire engines and a strategic reserve of six fire engines, reducing the overall fleet from 35 to 30. The proposals were presented as being aligned with the Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) 2025–2030 and findings from His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

The report also detailed the extensive public consultation process undertaken between November 2025 and January 2026, including public events, staff engagement, focus groups, and an online survey, with all responses independently analysed by Opinion Research Services (ORS). The consultation feedback was stated to have influenced the final recommendations, including refinements made to strengthen local resilience and workforce sustainability.

The report also addressed legal implications, financial implications, risk management, and equality, diversity, and inclusion considerations related to the proposed changes. It was noted that the programme was not developed with the intention of achieving budgetary savings, with any financial efficiencies generated intended to be reinvested to strengthen and modernise the On-Call system.

The meeting was also scheduled to note the date of the next meeting, which was to be the Annual Meeting of the Fire Authority on Wednesday 10 June 2026.