FIRE

Oakwood citizens and businesses benefit greatly from the fast fire response time - an important advantage of a consolidated Public Safety Department. What is our response time to fire scenes as compared to the ideal national standard of six minutes?

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RESPONSE	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	NATIONAL STANDARD
Average engine response time to scene (min.)	4.49	4.40	4.20	4.50	4.30	6 mins.
Average cruiser response time to scene (min.)	2.60	2.35	2.25	2.00	2.40	None

The department continues to maintain an exceptional response time that is well below the national average for the first responding apparatus. The first arriving Public Safety Officer conducts an emergency assessment and requests additional resources when necessary. Small fires can, at times, be contained by the first arriving officer. Over the past several years, the department has taken an aggressive approach to fire training and has developed a standardized fire training manual. Practical application of basic skills and tactics, combined with improved incident management training allows us to continually improve our overall fire response capabilities.

What has been Oakwood’s fire loss record in recent years?

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YEAR	ALARMS RECEIVED	FALSE ALARMS	NO DAMAGE	DAMAGE INVOLVED	TOTAL FIRE LOSS
2020	111	38	68	5	$495,000
2021	98	34	63	1	$3,500
2022	79	34	43	2	$112,000
2023	89	42	44	3	$302,000
2024	124	49	75	0	$0

Does Oakwood have mutual aid agreements with neighboring cities?

Yes, and these agreements are very important to Oakwood. Whenever we have a large emergency, we can count on assistance from our neighboring police and fire departments. Likewise, we provide assistance to them when the need arises and when we have the available resources.

What is the primary cause of fires in Oakwood and what steps should citizens take to make their homes less likely to experience a devastating fire?

The primary cause of fires in Oakwood is typically electrical or human factors, such as unattended cooking or combustibles left too close to an ignition source. We recommend that every home have working smoke detectors and Carbon Monoxide detectors. At least one per floor and in each bedroom. Fire alarm systems are also helpful. Have a multi-purpose fire extinguisher near your kitchen and in other locations if possible. If you burn a wood fireplace, have it inspected regularly for creosote build-up. Many older homes experience a breakdown in the chimney liners that can lead to fires. A chimney inspection and cleaning can prevent this from occurring. Never use portable heaters in close proximity to combustible materials. Never discard fireplace ashes in anything but a metal container with a lid, and place them outside, away from structures. If smoking materials are used inside of a home, use proper containers and disposal methods. Never leave food unattended on a stove.

If a fire does occur, immediately call 911 and get everyone out and away from the structure. Give the dispatcher as much information as possible about the location of the fire and anyone who is unable to exit on their own. Once out, account for everyone and never go back inside. If pets are inside, tell the firefighters upon their arrival. Firefighters are trained and equipped to enter your home for the purposes of rescue if conditions permit.