OXFORD – Credit is always due to emergency service personnel and those who seek a future in public safety. With more than 180 guests attending the Village of Oxford's annual Firemen's Banquet, support for the volunteer organization proved to be as strong as in any year in recent history.

The event started at 5:30 p.m. and continued until 9 p.m. on Saturday March, 22 at the Oxford Fire House located at Fort Hill Park West in the Village of Oxford.

Fire Chief Michael Cobb welcomed an encouraging address from Firemen's Association of New York State Secretary Michael D. Whelan, whose powerful message stressed important issues such as recruiting the next generation of Fire, EMS, and Auxiliary and canvassing younger members for ideas which would make volunteerism more appealing to younger generations.

“I would suggest that you consider having a team of younger members and Explorers. Let them brainstorm, give them the opportunity, initiative and instruction to go fourth and ask every one of you why you're a fighter, what keeps you here and what is important.” Whelan urged, “Unless you (the department) look at yourself introspectively, you will not know why you're not getting new members.”