Coombs-Hilliers Volunteer Fire Department hosts its 60th anniversary celebration on Saturday, June 21 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. (CHVFD)

By Ian Holmes

serving since 1965

Coombs-Hilliers Fire Dept hosts 60-year anniversary celebration

Jun 21, 2025 | 6:09 AM

QUALICUM BEACH — A family friendly event celebrating six decades of firefighting in Coombs-Hilliers will feature some blasts from the past.

Vintage fire trucks, demonstrations, kids’ activities, food trucks and more are included as part of an interactive 60th anniversary party for Coombs-Hilliers Volunteer Fire Department (CHVFD)

The event takes place on Saturday, June 21 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the CHVFD primary hall at 1014 Ford. Rd at the Coombs Fairgrounds.

Old fire trucks from decades ago will be featured at the Saturday, June 21 event (CHVFD)

CHVFD chief Ron Schildroth said their department has come a long way over the years.

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“I believe our original hall was in a shed down on the Alberni Hwy., and then the second hall would have been special built down at the fairgrounds, which is now our hall #1.”

Schildroth said the celebration is a great chance to interact directly with the community and for kids to meet their firefighters.

CHVFD features 15 firefighters, including three full-time career fighters, who work in two halls.

Schildroth, who has been with CVFD for about three years but has nearly three decades of firefighter experience, said their line of work has changed substantially over the years.

“We do a lot more medical stuff now. Everybody knows that the ambulance is taxed to the limit now so the overflow does fall to us, we try to do as much as we can for them.”

Improved training and mutual aid agreements with neighbouring halls provides enhanced service delivery for all Oceanside area residents, Schildroth pointed out.

He said public education and fire prevention outreach efforts are critical aspects of what they do.

“If you can prevent a fire from happening, it costs the department and taxpayer so much less money to have someone go out and do fire prevention then actually put a fire out,” Schildroth told NanaimoNewsNOW.

CHVFD crews respond to between 200 and about 315 calls annually, Schildroth said, spanning from structure fires, motor vehicle accidents and medical aid calls, to hazardous material incidents and public outreach work.

Coombs/Hilliers Volunteer Fire Department crews have been serving the rural area since 1965 (CHVFD)

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