On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, the City of Oakland Park Fire Department welcomed community members, city officials, and fire rescue personnel to Fire Station 9 for a heartfelt evening celebrating service, tradition, and progress.

The program began with the official swearing-in of Chief Gregory May as the City’s new Division Chief of Training. Chief May joined Oakland Park in 2024, bringing with him over two decades of experience from the Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Department. The ceremony paid tribute to his leadership, professional dedication, and deep commitment to public safety in Oakland Park.

Attendees then took part in a powerful and historic fire service ritual: the cleaning, blessing, and ceremonial “push-in” of three new emergency vehicles—a Battalion Chief vehicle, a rescue truck, and a quint ladder truck. The “push-in” tradition, which dates back over 250 years, honors the arrival of new apparatus and reflects the department’s preparedness and unity.

The event served as a proud milestone for the Fire Department and the community, celebrating the legacy and future of fire service in Oakland Park.

Responding to approximately 9,500 calls annually, the Oakland Park Fire Rescue Department remains steadfast in its mission to provide high-performance, compassionate, and efficient fire suppression, prevention, and EMS to more than 43,000 residents across its 9-square-mile service area. For more information, visit the city website.