Public Safety

Public Safety:

• Spring & Summer Fire Safety Tips - Learn how to prevent a fire. It could save your life.
• Autumn Fire Safety Tips - Preventative tips for the season.

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, 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 feel out the Public Education Request Form here.

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 identifies 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 he/she owns, they can request this in writing to the Fire Chief. The letter must state the owners name, property address, and reason for inspection.  

To request and inspection, complete the form found 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 the Fire Chief.

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.

Click here to view the Strategic Plan.