Tag Archive for: #oxfordfiredepartment

Local Insurance Agent Donates Equipment To Oxford Fire Department

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-information courtesy of the City of Oxford, from its ‘Discover Oxford’ newsletter

By its very nature, insurance is protection that we pay for and hope we never need to use. Whether it’s home, health, auto or some other type, having insurance is essential.

One local insurance agent, Ray Pegram Jr. of Henderson, has donated a piece of life-saving equipment to the Oxford Fire Department. It’s a different type of insurance, and it’s something OFD Fire Chief David Cottrell hopes they don’t have to use.

Called The Great Wall of Rescue, this particular piece of equipment helps remove individuals who are trapped in grain bins.

It’s the first donation of its kind in North Carolina through a program sponsored by Nationwide Insurance. The Pegram Agency has offices in Henderson and Oxford.

Pegram said he worked on his uncle’s farm in Middleburg as a youngster, which instilled in him a deep respect for farmers. Farming involves risks, especially when working in silos.

“I hope they never have to use this equipment, but if they do, they’ll have it when it’s needed,” Pegram said. “It hits close to home for me.”

Cottrell expressed his appreciation for the donation and explained that grain entrapment rescue scenarios can quickly escalate, putting victims in grave danger. “If a 165-pound person sinks into the grain up to their waist, the pressure can be equivalent to 365 pounds. If the grain reaches their chest, the pressure can be equivalent to 600 pounds, making it almost impossible to lift,” Cottrell said. ‘The Great Wall of Rescue allows us to respond more efficiently and provides a vital support system for our rescuers, ensuring a quicker and safer extraction of individuals trapped in grain.”

The apparatus consists of lightweight panels that can be lowered into the grain bin and then configured in various shapes around the trapped individual. Nationwide has documented eight lives saved in the past few years, thanks to this equipment.

The arrival of the equipment underscores OFD’s commitment to improving rescue operations and ensuring the safety of their community members.

Learn more about this life-saving equipment at https://www.greatwallofrescue.com/.

 

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Oxford FD Receives Higher ISO Rating

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The city of Oxford has announced that its fire department has received a new rating following a recent inspection, which places it among the top 12 percent of all rated fire departments in the state.

The Oxford Fire Department, under the leadership of Chief David Cottrell, achieved a new rating of 3 from the Insurance Services Office, according to information from the City of Oxford. The ISO rating will go into effect on Aug. 1, 2022.  The inspection, conducted by officials with the NC Department of Insurance of the State Fire Marshal, is required on a regular basis as part of the North Carolina Response Rating System (NCRRS).

The scores range from 1 (highest) to 10 (not recognized as a certified fire department by the state). A higher rating means that a department is better equipped to respond to fires and also significantly lower homeowners’ insurance rates in their district. Among other things, the inspections look for proper staffing levels, sufficient equipment, proper maintenance of equipment, communications capabilities, and availability of a water source.

In a statement, Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey congratulated Cottrell and his department for their “performance and for the hard work of all the department members. The citizens in the city of these districts should rest easy knowing they have a fine group of firefighters protecting them and their property in case of an emergency.”