City of Duncan Fire Department

Click here to listen to interviews with Fire Chief Landis Carmichael and Firefighter Kelsey that recently aired on 89.7 Sun FM about the Duncan Fire Department’s recruitment campaign. Although the current campaign closes on January 31, 2024, the application portal will remain open for the next cohort of new recruits.

Originally known as the Alderlea Fire Company, the Duncan Fire Department (DFD) has been in existence since 1902. Today it serves the City of Duncan and surrounding area including the Eagle Heights Fire Protection Service Area -CVRD and Cowichan Tribes lands adjacent to downtown Duncan (Duncan mall area).

The DFD has substantial mutual aid agreements with fire departments in the Cowichan Valley to support and reinforce its service. The Department is dedicated to protecting the community and its visitors through fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical services, fire prevention, public education, disaster preparedness and other services.

Fire Chief Landis Carmichael leads a department of 25 Firefighters, 8 Officers and 3 Chief Officers.

The DFD is a composite fire department with Paid-on-Call firefighters and a career Fire Chief. The department is classified as “full service” (B.C. Structure Firefighter Minimum Training Standards) and is the primary response in the event of many emergency and non-emergency incidents in the community.

Annually, the department responds to over 650 calls for service that range from structure fires, motor vehicle incidents, acute medical emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, technical rescue, public assists and more.

Our fleet of vehicles includes:

• Two Fire Engines
• Platform Ladder Truck
• Water Tender
• Light-rescue Truck
• Brush Truck
• and utility vehicles

For further information, please contact the non-emergency phone number at 250-746-5211 or email chief@duncan.ca.

Mission Statement

The Duncan Fire Department will serve our community in a professional and caring manner, focusing on the safety and preservation of life and property of our citizens.

OBJECTIVES:

• To save and protect lives and property during fires and rescue that may occur in the areas covered by the Duncan Fire Department or during mutual aid responses;
• To provide training for its members in order to become competent Firefighters; and
• To educate the public in safe fire practice and fire prevention.

Fire Prevention

In 2022, residential structure fires accounted for 94% of all structure fire related deaths in British Columbia. You can reduce your risk by 50% by ensuring you have working smoke alarms.

Check out our Home Safety Tips and Office Safety Tips for more safety and prevention information.

Take Action. The FireSmart website assists residents on how to better protect their home and properties from wildfire: www.firesmartbc.ca. Whether you are a homeowner, an active member of your community, or participate in local government, there are things you can do today to prepare for the eventuality of wildfire in your area.

Firefighter Recruitment

The Duncan Fire Department is always accepting paid-on-call firefighter applications. Please fill out the Duncan Fire Department Application Form and include all required supplemental documentation. Applications can be submitted electronically to hr@duncan.ca; alternatively, hard copies can be dropped off at Duncan City Hall, 200 Craig Street, to reception or in the maildrop after hours.

No previous experience is required; however, there are mandatory qualifications, including:

• At least 19 years of age;
• Legally entitled to work in Canada;
• Completion of Grade 12 or equivalent;
• BC driver’s license, unrestricted Class 5, with a driving record that demonstrates safe and responsible driving behaviour; and
• Able to attend weekly practices each Wednesday from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm.

All training is provided via in house training and through accredited external agencies.

Interested in joining our team? More information is available here.

Compensation

Our Firefighters are paid-on-call personnel who are compensated for attendance at practice sessions, participating in training and scheduled hall duties, and responding to emergency incidents. There are provisions for overtime pay, responding to calls on statutory holidays, and being on stand-by. Additionally, all members are covered by WorkSafeBC when participating in training and hall duties and responding to emergency calls.

The Duncan Fire Department provides all required personal protective gear and necessary equipment.

History

The Duncan Fire Department (DFD), originally known as the Alderlea Fire Company, was formed in 1902 in response to the downtown Quamichan Hotel fire.  Equipment at that time consisted of buckets, fire extinguishers, axes, and 3 ladders.

The Duncan Firefighters Historical Society was formed in 2002, after the Duncan Fire Department’s 100th anniversary. It was formed to promote, preserve and share the DFD history. The book, ‘A Century of Service: History of the DVFD’, written by T.W. Patterson, captures the DFD history for the first 100 years. More information can be found at Duncan Firefighters Historical Society website.

To purchase a copy of ‘A Century of Service: History of the DVFD’ phone the DVFD at 250-746-5211, or email dvfd.historical@shaw.ca.