The firefighters' union said they will consider strike action in Oxfordshire after the county council refused to scrap their proposed changes to the fire service.
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service launched a public consultation asking for opinions on plans to potentially close three stations, introduce 12-hour-shifts for firefighters, and making 42 firefighters redundant.
More than 100 protestors stood outside County Hall yesterday morning (Tuesday, December 9), calling for the proposals to be scrapped.
But representatives of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) were told the consultation would not be withdrawn, in a meeting with Chief Fire Officer Rob MacDougall and council chief executive Martin Reeves during the protest.
READ MORE : Inquest: Death of teenager in Chinnor quarry an 'accident'
Mr MacDougall told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "We're trying to find the best way forward for a variety of issues - we understand the change will have an impact on firefighters, which is why we're going through a consultation.
But Chris Wycherly, executive council member at the FBU, said it was "deeply concerning" that Oxfordshire fire and rescue would not change direction.
He said: "Ultimately, we need to look at our own escalation, and we will be having conversations with our members about industrial action.
"It's not a decision any firefighter would ever take lightly, but that's evident of the seriousness and the consequences of these proposals on firefighter and public safety.
"Members of communities that we have spoken to are taking it seriously. Firefighters are taking it seriously.
"The only people who aren't are the people in charge of the purse strings and their decision-making."
Chris Wycherly, an executive council member at the FBU (Image: Esme Kenney)
Lee Newport, FBU chair who is operational manager at Didcot Fire Station, said: "I think the showing speaks today speaks volumes about what the workforce thinks of these proposals.
"We're not saying no change, we're saying get around the table and have those conversations."
Chief Fire Officer Mr MacDougall said: "Industrial action is very concerning, and we want to try and avoid that if we can.
"The reality is that the FBU and members have the right to strike if they choose to.
"We're currently going through a consultation process. None of these proposals are decisions, they are proposals."
Oxfordshire County Council's plans threaten to close fire stations in Eynsham, Woodstock and Henley and remove six fire engines.
Help support trusted local news
Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe/
As a digital subscriber you will get:
Rewley Road and Kidlington fire stations could also be merged into one base in Oxford, with a special rescue vehicle to be cut from Kidlington.
At night, only five fire engines will be guaranteed to be available to cover all of Oxfordshire, while 14 firefighters could lose their homes in Kidlington as a result of the plans for Oxford.