Fire and Rescue

In 1880 a group of local industrial and business leaders established the Citizens Independent Fire Association. The Association was formed to guard against the ravages of fire because the City of Waterville refused to provide protection to the village of West Waterville (Became Oakland in 1883).

The people of Oakland, at the annual town meeting of 1888, voted to buy the Atlantic Fire Engine (still owned by the Town), hose and related equipment from the Association. This action established the Town of Oakland Fire Department.

Today Oakland Fire Rescue Department protects the Town of Oakland, Maine out of two fire stations Station 9 and Company 2.  We respond to over 1200 Fire, Rescue, and EMS incidents annually.

Oakland Fire Rescue is a combination department with a roster of 30 members. Station 9 is staffed 24 hours a day with one career Firefighter/EMT, along with one per-diem Firefighter/EMT from 0700 hours to 1500 hours, 365 days a year.  Our career and per-diem staff are crossed trained as firefighters and emergency medical service (EMT) providers.  Additionally, the Fire Chief works Monday through Friday at Station 9.

We cover 27 square miles with 1 Aerial, 1 Engine, 2 Pumper/Tankers, 1 Mini Pumper, a non-transport Rescue, Utility pick-up truck, Rescue Boat and a UTV.  The Department serves a year-round resident population of approximately 6,500 which grows in the summer with our summer camps and seasonal residents.

Oakland is part of an automatic mutual aid agreement system with the Towns of Belgrade, Sidney, Rome and Smithfield.  We also regularly provide and receive mutual aid from Fairfield, Waterville, and Winslow.  This agreement provides extra manpower and resources when needed.