Chief Majestic: Oxford’s Calm in the Chaos
When you walk into the Oxford Fire Department-Michigan, the first thing you notice is the energy, radios humming, crews moving with purpose, and somewhere in the middle of it all, Fire Chief Matt Majestic smiling as if this environment is the most natural thing in the world. “I’m the fire chief here in Oxford,” he says. “We’re a combination department with full-time and part-time people, about 45 to 47 total. We run out of two stations, 24/7, 365 days a year.” That around-the-clock commitment covers far more than fires. Oxford’s firefighters and paramedics respond to everything. In fact, close to 75 to 78 percent of their calls are EMS-related. The rest is a mix of fires, accidents, and the unexpected. “We get called for bats in houses, water leaks, stuff we can get to faster than a plumber or pest control,” Majestic says with a laugh.
A Jack of All Emergencies Crew
The department is packed with specialized skills. All full-time members are paramedics, and part-time members are firefighter EMTs. Some are drone pilots, others handle hazmat scenes or technical rescues. If a situation falls somewhere between “we are not sure who to call” and “this is definitely bad,” chances are it is the fire department that shows up. “I’ve always said we shouldn’t be called the fire department so much,” Majestic jokes. “We should just be called emergency services, because that is what we do. We do everything.”
A Heart for Oxford
Majestic lights up when he talks about community programs. Their biggest event each year is Shop with a Hero, where firefighters, police, and sheriff’s deputies take Oxford Community Schools children out for dinner and holiday shopping. Every gift is paid for through community donations. This year, Majestic and his team expanded the effort to include the Village Police Department, the Sheriff’s Office, and fire departments from Brandon, Addison, and Orion, because all serve kids in Oxford schools. Before the big event, you will find the firefighters at the Fill the Boot fundraiser at Lapeer Road and Burdick Street, collecting donations from passing cars. “Hopefully we can have a very nice turnout for the kids,” Majestic says. So, if you see the firefighters out there, this Saturday, November 29, 2025, please give a donation so they can help more children in our community enjoy a very Merry Christmas!
The department also joins community parades, even though they always have to be at the front or back so the crews can peel off for a call if needed. “We don’t have a ton of people to spare,” he admits, “but we make it work.”
A Simple Rule for Calling 911
Majestic has a clear message for residents, do not hesitate to call. “If somebody is having an emergency, they know it is an emergency. They call 911, period,” he says. “But if they are not sure, call. Let us figure it out.” He would rather arrive early to something minor than arrive late to something serious.
Professionalism with a Personal Touch
When asked what he wants the community to know, Majestic pauses, rare for someone who speaks quickly, comfortably, and with genuine pride for his department. “We take a lot of pride in just being nice to people,” he says. “Usually when we get called, they are having a terrible day. We want to be professional, caring, fiscally responsible, and thankful for the support we get, so we can show that support right back.” He means it. Whether it is a fire, a medical call, a water-soaked basement, or a scared homeowner with a bat in the living room, Oxford’s firefighters show up ready to help.
For Chief Majestic and his team, it is simple: emergency or not, they will figure it out, and they will do it with dedication and heart.