Oakland Fire and Rescue Dept

06/24/2026

This could be the end to many volunteer Fire and Rescue Departments in the next 20-25 years. We have already been effected by these changes in Oakland.
We have been very blessed and grateful to have many new members join the department in the last few years.
Although with these prices, turn out gear having a life span of 10 years, scba air packs 15 years and trucks around 25.
Almost all of our equipment will need replacing in that 20-25 year range. Our last tanker was purchased in 2011 for $150,000
As we have been trying to replace our 1986 the cost for new one is $380,000. Along with next year we need to replace our Air packs. 12 of them at $12,000 each.
This cycle will not continue very long for many small departments and will have to merge with other towns. Which means the average house fire will be almost burned down with a 20 min response time. Rescue patients will see long delays for help as we already have had changes of losing our local hospital, as with Lyons and Craig.

04/17/2026

Come join us for some Pancakes on Sunday.
We enjoy spending time with families in the community.

If you have kids ask one of the members to show you around the trucks and gear.

We have a lot of new members on the department so come join us and meet them

Thank you for any and all donations!

03/26/2026

State Burn Ban has been extended to April 10th
For the Oakland Fire District, I will be very hesitant to issue any permits even after ban has been lifted by the governor until fields and grass in road ditches are green.
With winds for the next 2 weeks forecast and likely after that ranging from 10-30 mph and drought conditions it is not safe!
Also even though burn barrels and fire pits are not part of the open burn permits and restrictions we have had fires spread quickly for burn barrels days later by high winds.
If you are using a fire pit in town remember a screen cover should be used to reduce sparks from flying as dry grass and leaves are still present in neighboring yards

Last it is always the responsibility of the one who is having the campfire or burn barrels to fully watch over them and to extinguish the fire before leaving them.

Please be safe Oakland Fire chief

03/14/2026

Yesterday was an eventful day for Eastern Nebraska… local volunteers were very busy because of the high winds. With that being said, it’s only the beginning, and often times for these field and brush fires we can only do so much with trucks and water. We are thankful to have a supportive community and farmers that are willing to put their equipment on the line and time out of their day to help us do what we need and stay ahead of the fires.

We’re going to try something new, Stealing this idea from Uehling. If you’re a local farmer and you’re interested in being added to a group text for days like yesterday when extra help is needed. Whether it be a disk or even an extra tank of water to keep trucks full, reach out to Tyler Weitzenkamp 402-380–1122 and he will get you on the list.

This will only be used for field fire communications. There will be several department members in it as well so we can all be in the know as to what’s happening.

02/18/2026

I acknowledge that many individuals get frustrated with me or at the situation when they ask to get a burn permit and I won’t approve them.
Many individuals will ask and when the time is right I’m all for it. Many people ask in the fall after harvest. Let’s try more in the spring before planting just after we get your first good rain!
Many I know will do as they tell me they are doing.
Burn the piles in a hole then cover the hole in the next day or two. Thats great!!
I’ve had many tell me they are burning small branches. Although they don’t tell me it happens to be in a trash hole with other items, tires, furniture, large stumps, other items that burn longer or hotter. Those items that were not approved smolder for weeks even months l did not approve and add 30 plus mph winds, that’s what is starting uncontrolled fires.
This is why is so hard to give burn permits in the fall and winter. For 4 years straight we’ve had fires that should have been done burning and out with no chance of starting months later cause fires on extremely windy days.
It is extremely dangerous to navigate a fire truck across a field going 20-30 mph to match the speed of a spreading fire get enough water on it to knock it down and have little to no visibility from all the smoke.
I never like seeing our firefighters in that position when it could have been avoided.
We have a couple months until spring yet and unless we see snow or lots of rain there will be no burn permits issued!
It’s just not worth a firefighter, equipment or someone’s home and property.
Also the sheriffs office is handing out fines if you do not have a permit.

The picture is of the fire in Oklahoma today. This is what we are trying to avoid possible

10/02/2025

Please be very careful and prepared this weekend !
It’s harvest time and with temps in the 90’s and wind gust approaching 30 mph.
Please be fire safe and tractor disc ready. It helps to have fire extinguishers with your equipment. We have already had some field fire in the area!
Also Oakland will not be issuing any burn permits until harvest is all over and we see some moisture again.

Thanks and be safe

08/28/2025

Hi everyone, unfortunately the Burt County Mutual Aid committee is cancelling this years Mutual Aid Fire/EMS Conference scheduled for September 6&7th due to very low pre-registration numbers. They are going to try for 2026. They apologize for any inconvenience.

04/28/2025

Thank you for all the support from our community in yesterday’s Pancake feed.
Great to see and visit with so many.

Thanks

04/25/2025

Hope to see everyone! And thanks for your support it goes a long way towards education, equipment, and back to the school kids for fire prevention.

04/24/2025