OFD Receives FEMA Grant
Oberlin Fire has been awarded a 2013 Assistance to Firefighters grant though FEMA in the amount of $209,674. This grant was requested to replace all of the department's self-contained breathing apparatus, worn by firefighters to protect them when working in fire, rescue and other hazardous environments. Estimated equipment replacement cost is $220,709.

Firefighter of Year - 2012
Oberlin firefighters held their annual holiday and awards party on December 10, naming Firefighter/EMT Joseph Smith as the 2012 Oberlin Firefighter of the Year. Joe was selected for the award for his enthusiasm, devotion and teamwork. Congratulations, Joe.
See FFY

Strategic Planning
The Department continues work on its five-year strategic planning process that will guide our community services into the future. Plan Update Nov 2012 .   Read the plan document. 

October is Fire Prevention Month. Smoke alarms are a very important means of preventing home fire fatalities by providing an early warning signal so you and your family can escape. According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), an estimated 385,500 fires occur in residential buildings every year resulting in 3,500 civilian deaths and 13,250 injuries. When a smoke alarm sounds, it is time for you to spring into action.

You can prevent tragedy simply by testing and maintaining your smoke alarms and practicing a fire escape plan. Make sure your home fire escape plan is up to date and everyone in the home knows what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Practice your plan often. Free smoke detectors are available at the fire station.

Fire Station Goes GOLD

The Oberlin fire station has just received the Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification for our renovation/expansion, completed on April 2011. The official dedication ceremony was held on August 22, followed by an Open House and tours of the facility. Thank you all for visiting. View our green building project at

Expansion/ renovation of the Fire Station.

Fire Code Permits and Fees
Fees for fire code operational and construction review have been revised. The Oberlin Fire Prevention Code now includes the 2012 International Fire Code. View new requirements at Permits.

Reverse 911 Emergency Notification System
The City of Oberlin utilizes an Emergency Community Notification system known as Reverse 911. The system is used to provide emergency or urgent information to residents during emergencies. The Fire Department maintains the system database. While all resident information is automatically forwarded to the Fire Department during weekly updates, residents may initiate changes to their contact information or add cell phones to the listing by completing an online request  or sending a written R911 Authorization Form to City Hall.  

C.E.R.T. Training

The Lorain County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security maintains a Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. In the event of a disaster, trained citizens can react as teams and provide basic care that will help limit further injury to disaster victims and will lessen the possibility of further damage to property. See CERT or call LC Emergency Management at (440) 329-5117 for information.

Mobile Fire Training Trailer at Oberlin
The Mobile Fire Training Unit was placed into service in Oct 2007. The unit was manufactured by Pro-Safe Fire Training Systems of Nobel, Ontario. Funding for this unit was provided through a 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grant award for $382,755. Read AFG.

Interested in Fire Safety Education?
The department has two important tools available for public education opportunities - Sparky the Fire Dog and Sparky's Hazard House. Both were acquired through FEMA Fire grant funds.

Sparky is a fully animated Dalmatian dog in a fire truck complete with red lights and siren. He moves, speaks, listens, winks, blinks, and even plays music. Sparky will be used in fire prevention activities including school tours, pre-school visits, fire station visits, parades, and Fire Prevention Week. The Hazard House is an excellent opportunity to learn about home fire safety. Contact us to discuss how one of these programs can be schedule for your group or community activity.

Want to Know How to Become an Oberlin Firefighter?
Click HERE for all of the information you'll need about the job requirements and recruitment of firefighter candidates! 

Last Updated:   Friday May 10, 2013