Oxford Fire/Rescue

06/21/2026

Happy Father’s Day!

📸 Joseph Wax

06/19/2026

⭐️FAQ⭐️

⚠️There has been a lot of talk lately about automatic crash notifications and what they mean to us, so we thought we’d take a moment to help out with some FAQS⚠️

Q: What is an automatic crash notification?

📥Your iPhone and Apple Watch or vehicle have sensors that detects an “impact” or “sudden deceleration.” Your phone or watch will display an alert, and countdown before the device will automatically call 9-1-1. The dispatch center will then send emergency services to respond (in our case: Police, Fire, Rescue) for an automatic crash notification in the area in which the device is.

📢Do you take these seriously?

📥 We take all emergency calls seriously as it’s our duty, profession and YOUR safety. We have had significant accidents, where the only 9-1-1 notification was an automatic crash notification.

📢What do I do if this happened by accident?

📥 If it was an accident, please answer the Dispatch Center’s call back (they will always attempt to get in contact with you) and tell them it was an accident. If they haven’t called you yet, call the dispatch center and tell them it was an accident. They will likely ask for your name, number, what occurred. You will NOT be in trouble. You simply help keep emergency services available for another person in need!

📢 Can I turn this feature off?

📥 Yes, you can. However-just like any feature-it is nice to have and certainly has helped emergency services save lives.

📢 Why do our devices have automatic crash notification features?

📥 The goal of this feature is to help decrease emergency services response times, as well as call for help if you are unable to do so.

📢 Are these only in our iPhones/droids?

📥 Automatic crash notification systems can be found in vehicles, smart watches, as well as “apps” such as Life 360, AAA, etc.

06/14/2026

⚫️♥️⚫️ So saddened to hear, so unfair. Rest easy, Chief ⚫️♥️⚫️

The Office of State Fire Marshal is saddened to learn of the passing of 76-year-old Wayne Woodbury on Sunday morning June 14, 2026 at Maine Medical Center in Portland. Searsmont Assistant Fire Chief Wayne Woodbury was among the many firefighters and emergency responders who responded to the May 15, 2026, fire at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont.

The Office of State Fire Marshal extends its sincere condolences to his family, friends, and the members of the Searsmont Fire Department during this difficult time. The investigation into the Robbins Lumber fire remains ongoing.

06/10/2026

Norway Fire will be hosting an EVDT (emergency vehicle driver training) program. June 20th at 8 am at Norway Fire Department (classroom), and June 21st will be the driving day. Anyone interested call 207-890-0315. Must have a chief sign off, participants name, phone number and email address for course registration. Open to all Fire Departments.

06/09/2026

⭐️FAQ with OXFR⭐️
We have received several questions that we think are important to answer so everyone is informed.

Q: Why do the dispatchers ask so many questions? Can’t I just hang up once I give them my address?

📞Dispatchers, like all first responders, have a significant amount of formal training. Part of their training is EMD (Emergency Medical Dispatching) and EFD (Emergency Fire Dispatching) certifications which utilize specific protocols. These protocols include lines of questioning, that gather information for us as responders. If you hang up the phone before they are done with their questioning, it doesn’t allow the dispatchers to relay all of the information we need. While you will still receive an emergency response, the more information you give the dispatcher, the better! Dispatchers also provide directions until we arrive on scene, let them help you until we arrive. Once we arrive on scene, you are welcome to disconnect with 911.

📍Dispatchers have the ability to use cellular towers to pinpoint your location. If you are unable to give them your street number/name, they can utilize this to help guide us to you. This is extremely helpful if you are needing assistance in the woods or on a body of water, or live off the grid.

🔘Dispatchers are the first responder you likely will never see and they have a very hard job. Help them, help you-by answering their questions and following their instructions. They take pride in their job, and know the weight it holds, allow them to do it.

PS We’re down to our last question-please DM us with yours!

06/06/2026

Thank you, Oxford. We truly appreciate everyone who attended the Town Meeting & supported Public Safety.

You, are our reason.

We will continue to serve you the best we can, and will do so proudly.

Today you voted to help us to continue to save lives in a prompt and professional manner.

Much appreciated.

06/05/2026

⭐️FAQ with OXFR⭐️
We have received several questions that we think are important to answer so everyone is informed.

Q: Why do you block a lane with your vehicles? Why do you shut down roads and divert traffic to another route? How can I help in this situation?

🚨Well we’re so glad you asked how you can help, that means a lot to us and our safety! You can help us by following directions of OXFR’s (or PD’s) personnel. They will be in a yellow reflective vest telling you to do 1 of three items:
1️⃣ Wait patiently to pass through on a one lane basis
2️⃣ Turn around
3️⃣ Divert you to an alternate route

While we know these items add on extra time to wherever you’re traveling too, please be patient and considerate. Someone in your community has either had an accident, a medical emergency, or tragedy that we are helping mitigate.

🚨 OXFR blocks a lane of traffic to protect ourselves and whomever we were called to help. We often need to operate in roadways to help patients on stretchers or extinguish a car fire, etc. We always try to minimize our time in the roadway, so please help us by being patient.

🚨 OXFR also shuts the road down for similar reasons. However here are other reasons we may completely close the road:
🚧 Fire hose crossing lanes of traffic
🚧 Serious injuries or a fatality requiring accident reconstruction
🚧 Live power lines or trees blocking lanes of traffic
🚧 Allowing a tow truck to load a vehicle on its bed safely

🚨 Please do not stop to ask us if you can get through, why we are closing the road, or attempt to drive through cones. This is a safety problem, takes help away from those who need it, and slows traffic we are trying to move in the right direction. Please simply take our directions, knowing we have your best interest in mind!

06/04/2026

⭐️FAQ with OXFR⭐️
We have received several questions that we think are important to answer so everyone is informed.

Q: Why do you use lights and sirens and then shut them off, but you haven’t stopped anywhere? What were you doing?

🚨When you call 911, dispatchers gather important information to relay to us. This information allows us to determine what we need to bring to help whoever has called for help. Most of our emergencies require that we respond with lights and sirens, so we leave the station with them on.

📍As a Firefighter/EMT or a Police Officer arrives on scene, they may determine that they need more help, less help, or no help at all. If they decide, no more help is necessary, the responding firetrucks and/or ambulances will turn off their lights and sirens. Sometimes it’s because the emergency was quickly remedied by the first firetruck, police cruiser or ambulance. Other times the truck will still head towards that emergency for assistance, but are no longer needed urgently. It is also safer for everyone to not use lights and sirens.

📡While this makes sense to us, because we hear all the reasoning and decisions over the radio, it doesn’t necessarily make sense to all of you watching this happen. Please do not assume the worse and assume that we are “late for lunch” or “in a rush to get coffee.” We can assure you that we value everyone’s safety, and only utilize our lights/sirens in an emergency that requires them!

06/02/2026

⭐️FAQ with OXFR⭐️
We have received several questions that we think are important to answer, so everyone is informed.

Q: “Where was your truck going, they didn’t have any lights and sirens on?”
🧯We may be going to help a resident with a smoke detector battery, or a flooded basement. These types of calls do not require lights and sirens.
🧯 We may be going to help a fellow town department and are using that opportunity to have a member keep up their driving skills on that particular truck. We are required to have each driver operate each vehicle for a set amount of time. This allows us to stay current.
🧯 We may be headed to train at a particular building or hydrant in town.
🧯We may have new employees that need to become familiar with our streets and the area. While they use a map at the station, driving the roads presents a visual and helps them learn the specific obstacles that they may have during a call.
🧯We may be headed to fire prevention at a local daycare or Oxford Elementary School.
🧯 We may be bringing a truck for service.
🧯 We may be headed to take care of the Public Safety’s building trash at the transfer station, or returnables at Rooper’s Redemption.

Thanks for the questions-if you have one, please message us and we’ll be sure to answer it!

05/31/2026

⭐️FAQ with OXFR⭐️
We have received several reoccurring questions that we think it’s important to answer so everyone is informed.

Question: Why do we see the ambulance or a utility truck shopping?

🛒 Just like in your home, OXFR requires regular, everyday items such as batteries, lightbulbs and office supplies. We often are picking them up to keep up with our regular day-to-day operations. We also regularly pick up parts for our vehicles.
🛒Often times crews are purchasing groceries for their meals (with their personal money), as firefighters/EMTs work 24, 36, 48 hour shifts.
🛒 During their shopping they ALWAYS wear a radio to ensure that if they are dispatched to a call, they leave their items and can immediately respond.
🛒 They use an ambulance or the utility truck to get these items so our response times remain quick. By having the truck with them it allows them to have their gear and whatever they may need for that emergency.