DIVFD - History

By John Ralston

Until the late 1970’s, Denman Island, a small Gulf island located south of Comox, did not have an organized fire department. Residents had to count on Forestry and other firefighting resources from Vancouver Island, often arriving far too late.

A group of islanders got together, begged and borrowed some basic equipment and cobbled up a make-shift fire department. In those days, firefighters were expected to donate two dollars each practice to keep the department solvent. Slowly the ranks grew and the equipment got better until today, under the direction of Chief Don Luckett, the Denman Island Fire Department is a modern, well-trained and fully equipped force of more than twenty men and women firefighters capable of efficiently fighting structural fires and wildfires.

The Department maintains an Auxiliary force trained to support the regular firefighters during major incidents and a Junior Firefighter Program where sixteen and seventeen year old students learn basic emergency response skills and may, in return, receive high school credits.

In addition to fire fighting, the Denman Island Fire Department has award winning auto extrication skills and is proficient at high angle rescue techniques. Many of the members are certified First Responders trained to deal with a wide range of medical emergencies.

The Department’s vehicles include a modern pumper, a fully-equipped rescue truck, a jeep-like duty truck, a versatile forestry pumper/tanker and a brand-new 1700 imperial gallon tanker. The fire hall has four bays, a workshop, offices, a meeting room and recreational facilities. The Department constructed a permanent burn-house facility for frequent live-fire practice.

The Fire Department is proud of its rapid response capabilities rivaling those of professional “big city” departments. In return, Denman Island’s 1200 residents are incredibly supportive of the Department and its various fund-raising activities. The Pancake Breakfast around the first weekend in July is one of the most anticipated happenings each year.

DIVFD History