Public Safety
Resources
Burns and Alarms Phone Line
For alarm testing, fire drills, hot works, and open-air burn permit activations please phone: (519) 842-2481. For active sounding alarms or incident-related issues that need to be dealt with immediately, please phone: (519) 842-3229. For emergencies, please call: 9-1-1.
- Spring and Summer Fire Safety Tips - Learn how to prevent a fire. It could save your life.
- Autumn Fire Safety Tips - Preventative tips for the season.
- Winter Fire Safety Tips - Preventative tips for the season.
- Home Escape Plan - It's time to create a step-by-step escape plan for your home today!
- Fire Extinguishers - How to utilize a fire extinguisher and the type you need for your home.
- Fireworks Safety - Consumer "family-style" fireworks safety.
The South-West Oxford Fire and Emergency Services provide fire safety education to meet the needs of all citizens of South-West Oxford. Programs provide engaging and interactive education for all groups. Public fire safety educators work closely with local school boards, community groups, and various associations and are available and eager to make presentations to the community.
To request a Fire Safety Educator to present to your group, please fill out the Public Education Request Form.
The South-West Oxford Fire Department Fire Safety Inspection Program is intended to reduce the likelihood of fire occurrences and the impact of fire should one occur. A fire inspection identifies if a property owner is maintaining a fire safe property and reinforces fire safe behaviours, not just infractions of the Ontario Fire Code. Fire safety inspections are conducted by the Fire Chief in one of three ways: Request, Routine, or Complaint.
Request Inspection
If a person would like to have a fire safety inspection conducted at a property they own, they can request this in writing to the Fire Chief. The letter must state the owners name, property address, and the reason for inspection.
Complete the form to request an inspection here.
Routine Inspection
These inspections include targeted properties that house vulnerable sector residents, require licensing, or have a history of non-compliance.
Complaint Inspection
If a member of the public has reason to believe that a property within the Township of South-West Oxford does not comply with the Ontario Fire Code, or there are fire hazards at a property, they may file a complaint with Fire Chief Rob Serson.
Open-air burning is regulated by Article 2.6.3.4 of the Ontario Fire Code, which states, among other things, "Open Air Burning is not permitted unless approved…". In accordance with the Municipal By-Law No. 35-2014, the South-West Oxford Fire Department may authorize controlled, supervised open air fires subject to the conditions for approval as outlined in the By-Law.
To review the By-Law to Regulate Fires and Provide for the Setting of Fires, please click here.
To apply for a Burn Permit, click here.
In 2015, the SWOX fire and emergency services introduced its strategic plan, alongside measures in pursuance with these goals. The strategic plan is both a roadmap for the South-West Oxford Fire & Emergency Services and a guide for identifying priorities so we can continue to deliver excellent fire, rescue, fire prevention and emergency services into the future.
The South-West Oxford Fire and Emergency Services encourages you to look through our strategic planning guide below for more information.