Cumberland Fire Rescue Society

09/29/2026

After 52 years of service with Cumberland Fire Rescue, Fire Chief Mike Williamson is retiring.

Cumberland’s fire department is more than 125 years old. Mike has been part of that story for 52 of those years, about two-fifths of its entire history. Thirty-eight of those years were as a volunteer firefighter, before he went on to serve the Village as Manager of Protective Services and Fire Chief.

Cumberland Fire Rescue has always been neighbours looking after neighbours. Our firefighters live and work here, and that tradition has carried through generations. Mike has been part of it for more than five decades.

He also leaves behind the new fire hall, which became operational in 2021 after being needed for more than twenty years. He was a strong advocate for seeing it built.

On behalf of the members of the Cumberland Fire Rescue Society, thank you, Chief Williamson, for 52 years of service to this department and to this community.

We wish you and your family all the very best in retirement.

Congratulations, Chief!

08/29/2026

Wildfire deployments can place a significant strain on our members and on the coverage we keep at home. Our firefighters have jobs, families, and other responsibilities, while emergency response in the communities we serve remains the priority.

Recently, one of our Society members and a Cumberland Fire Rescue apparatus deployed alongside Comox Fire Rescue as part of a Structural Protection Specialist crew at the Big Bar Complex near Clinton, BC.

Interagency cooperation like this continues to make Comox Valley fire departments more capable than they would be on their own. By working together, sharing resources, and supporting one another, we strengthen our collective ability to respond when both our own and other communities need us.

Thank you to Comox Fire Rescue for the partnership and the opportunity to work together.

08/20/2026

Whether it’s a historic building or a neighbour’s house, our paid-on-call firefighters train weekly so we’re ready when the call comes.

Thank you to the Courtenay Volunteer Fire Department; the support from your members was an immense help to our crews. We are grateful for the mutual aid and the strong partnership!

Cumberland’s heart is bigger than any one building, but seeing a fire tear through such a historic and much-loved part of downtown Cumby is heartbreaking.

Huge, huge thanks to the Cumberland Fire Rescue volunteers who responded so quickly, Courtenay firefighters for supporting with mutual aid, ESS volunteers and *all* the first responders who worked through the night. I’m wishing a full recovery to the firefighter who was injured.

My thoughts are with everyone displaced, and with Dodge City Cycles and the Riding Fool Hostel as they face the days ahead.

The Tarbell Building has stood in the heart of Cumberland since 1895, part of the history and character that make this community so special. I know Cumberland’s big heart will be on full display as people rally around everyone who's been impacted and affected. ❤️

Cumberland Fire Rescue Society
Courtenay Volunteer Fire Department
Cumberland Mayor Vickey Brown

06/30/2026

One of the many extra training activities our members take part in to better serve our community. Thanks for hosting Qualicum Beach Fire Rescue!

You may have noticed an influx of firefighters and firetrucks in town last weekend as we hosted the Nozzle Forward course at the fire station.
Over the three days, we spent time with Aaron Fields and his instructors working on hose work, one of the foundational skills of firefighting. It was a great chance for our recruits to learn and work with firefighters from all over the island and beyond. Of the student group, 21 fire departments were represented by ~70 attendees. These firefighters gave their time, energy, and sweat to bring stronger skills and knowledge back to their home departments. Thank you to all the hard-working attendees, training like this helps improve firefighter safety, fireground effectiveness, and the service to our communities.

05/21/2026

Great work, Ucluelet Fire Rescue!

05/18/2026

On behalf of the Cumberland Fire Rescue Society, thank you for 30 years of outstanding service with the Courtenay Fire Department. We’re especially grateful that you chose to spend your last official day with us, proudly marching in Cumberland’s Empire Days Parade. Thank you, Captain!

05/07/2026

𝗖𝗩𝗥𝗗 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀: 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝗕𝗖 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲

As a result of a complete fire ban enacted by BC Wildfire Service, the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) and its surrounding partner agencies will be issuing the same ban, effective Thursday, May 7 at 12:00 noon.

Campfires will not be allowed throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, including all provincial parks, crown land, and private property. This ban also includes the suspension of the beach fire program at Goose Spit Park.

The following area fire departments are involved in the complete ban:
• Comox Fire Rescue
• Courtenay Fire Department
• Cumberland Fire Rescue
• Denman Island Fire Rescue
• F***y Bay Volunteer Fire Department
• Hornby Island Fire Rescue
• Merville Fire Department
• Mount Washington Fire Department
• Oyster River Fire Rescue
• Ships Point Volunteer Fire Department
• Union Bay Fire Rescue

The ban does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or portable campfire devices that use briquettes, liquid, or gaseous fuel, provided they are CSA or ULC approved, and the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.

To further reduce wildfire risk in the Comox Valley, a smoking ban has been issued in all CVRD parks, and all fire rings will be removed from designated parks.

For more information on your fire service area or to contact your local fire department, visit: www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/fire.
City of Courtenay Town of Comox Village of Cumberland Oyster River Fire Rescue

05/05/2026

May 4th is International Firefighters’ Day, a day to honour all firefighters for their selfless service and dedication.

From the firefighters of the Cumberland Fire Rescue Society, we’re deeply grateful for the privilege of serving and supporting our community. In a place like Cumberland, that spirit of quiet readiness and care means everything.

Thank you to the men and women who answer the call — past, present, and future. Your commitment keeps our village safe and reminds us what strong communities are built on. 🙏🚒