Oxford (Catfish Dist.) Fire Department

05/25/2026

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day!

05/05/2026

Come on out and help support! We look forward to seeing everyone.

Oxford Fire Department Support Group will be holding a bake auction on June 30. Like this post, share, and comment to be entered into a drawing to win a free dessert!

If you are willing to make and donate a dessert let us know!

More details to come!

05/03/2026

Burning ban is now lifted for Catawba County. However please be safe while burning!

05/03/2026

Effective Sunday, May 3, 2026, at 0800 hours, the North Carolina Forest Service will lift the burn ban for 81 counties, including Catawba County.

04/23/2026

The Oxford Fire Department, Inc is proud to inform you that the ENTIRE fire district is now a ISO Rating 5 from the Office of State Fire Marshall.
Residents living in the district should contact their home owners insurance company to inform them of this rating change as it may lower their insurance premiums.
Please share this to anyone living in the Oxford fire district.

Thanks for your support .

04/07/2026

Effective at 6:00 p.m. on March 28, 2026, the Catawba County Fire Marshal’s Office has issued a countywide prohibition on all open burning. The ban applies to all areas of Catawba County, including locations within 100 feet of any structure, and remains in effect regardless of previously issued burning permits.

The burn ban is enacted under the authority of the Catawba County Fire Marshal’s Office in accordance with Section 307 of the 2018 North Carolina Fire Code. The measure is intended to reduce the risk of wildfire ignition and spread amid ongoing dry weather conditions affecting the region.

This local action follows a broader burn ban issued the same day by the North Carolina Forest Service, which similarly prohibits all open burning, cancels existing permits, and suspends the issuance of new permits due to elevated fire danger.

Open burning, as defined under the ban, includes the burning of yard debris such as leaves, branches, and other vegetative matter, as well as recreational fires, bonfires, and the use of outdoor fireplaces. The restriction does not extend to cooking-related fires, including the use of gas, pellet, or charcoal grills, as well as outdoor cookers and smokers. However, the burning of non-vegetative materials—including trash, construction debris, tires, plastics, and paper products—always remains illegal.

The ban will remain in place until further notice. Enforcement efforts will be carried out by local fire departments and law enforcement agencies in coordination with the Catawba County Fire Marshal’s Office and the North Carolina Forest Service. Violations may result in fines and applicable court costs.

Residents seeking further details regarding the statewide burn ban and related fire prevention initiatives can be found on the North Carolina Forest Service website at http://ncforestservice.gov under the News section or contact your local fire department.

04/02/2026

We’re running out of people.

This isn’t a problem unique to one town or one firehouse. It’s happening everywhere.

Across our communities, the number of people willing and able to volunteer is shrinking. At the same time, the calls are not slowing down. If anything, they’re increasing. More emergencies. More need. Fewer people stepping forward to meet it.

Inside the firehouse, that reality is already here, and being felt in real ways.

The same names keep showing up. The same group of people answering calls again and again. The list isn’t getting longer. The workload isn’t getting lighter. The workforce isn't getting younger. We’re relying on neighboring departments to fill the gaps, and they’re relying on us to help them more than ever.

This isn’t about the future anymore. This is happening right now.

I won’t sugarcoat it. Joining a volunteer fire department isn't easy, and it takes time. The initial training is demanding. It will interrupt your routine. There will be nights when it’s inconvenient, when it would be easier to stay home, when you question whether you can keep up.

That part is real. But it’s also temporary.

What’s on the other side of that effort is something most people will never experience. You learn how to stay calm when others can’t. You learn how to step into situations people naturally avoid and actually be useful. You gain real skills you use on calls, at home, and in everyday life. And you become part of a group that shows up for their neighbors when they need it most.

It’s rewarding. It’s satisfying. And it makes a difference in your life, and in your community. It changes how you see yourself.

This isn’t about being a certain type of person. It’s not about being the strongest or the fastest. It’s not about having experience or knowing exactly what to do on day one. There are roles for all kinds of people; on the fireground, in EMS, and behind the scenes.

What matters is the willingness to step forward and learn. Men and women. Young adults. Parents. People with full-time jobs and other commitments. People who have thought about it before but never took the first step. You don’t need to be ready for the worst right now. You just need to be willing to start.

Because here’s the truth: The calls will keep coming. They always do. It might be your house. It might be your neighbor. The only question is who will be there to answer them. Will it be you?

If this made you stop for even a second, don’t overthink it. Stop by your local firehouse. Message them. Talk to someone. Sit in on a drill. Ask questions. No pressure. No commitment. Just come see what it’s really about.

Because the hardest part isn’t the training. It’s walking through the door for the first time.

- Captain Cummings

04/01/2026

**ROAD CLOSURE** Shook Rd is closed at the moment due to a Structure fire. Please use an alternative route.