Our History - Qualicum Beach Fire Rescue

PROUDLY SERVING SINCE 1947

In December 1942 the Board of Trade was asked to undertake the formation of a Volunteer Fire Brigade, since that time the fire department in Qualicum Beach has changed dramatically.

Originally providing just fire protection to a population of 300, Qualicum Beach Fire Rescue has become an all-hazard response agency providing fire and emergency services to over 11,000 residents in the Town of Qualicum Beach and Regional District of Nanaimo Area G. At its start in 1947, the department had 10 members and attended a handful of calls a year, it now has a roster of 30 paid on-call members and 4 staff responding to over 300 incidents a year.

1945

Town’s First Fire Chief

F.G Heard was appointed first Fire Chief in July 1945.

1946

Building the Fire Hall

Tender for first firehall was awarded to J.T Clarke for $2,175.

1947

Official Start

The fire department proudly opens its doors for its official start.

1948

First Fire Truck and Siren

The first fire truck was purchased – an old army truck outfitted with a 300 gallon water tank.

It was decided to put a fire siren on top of the fire hall and Shady Rest to notify firefighters of a call (the siren is still on top of the new fire station).

Automatic Aid Agreement Historical document placeholder

1959

Mutual Aid Agreement

Talks of the first mutual aid agreement with Parksville Fire Department are started, this was the foundation to the extensive automatic aid agreement the area fire departments currently have in place.

1962

First Official Fire Engine

Qualicum Beach takes delivery of its first new fire engine from Thibault in Pierreville Quebec.

1974

Second Fire Hall

After outgrowing the original fire hall a replacement was built next to the original for $41,000.

1997

First Aerial Apparatus

The department purchases it first aerial apparatus to support the larger buildings being built in Qualicum Beach. The apparatus was a 1972 75ft Snorkel purchased from the City of Port Alberni, it attended all the large commercial fires in the area until it was retired in 2006.