Nanaimo Fire Rescue

🚨 SMOKE ALARMS SAVE LIVES 🚨

Do you have enough smoke alarms in your home?

The recommended protection is: 🏠 One smoke alarm on every level
🛏️ One outside each sleeping area
✅ Best practice: one inside every bedroom

When properly installed and maintained, smoke alarms provide early warning and can give your family the critical time needed to escape safely during a fire.

🔥 Remember to: ✔️ Test alarms monthly
✔️ Replace batteries as needed
✔️ Replace smoke alarms every 10 years
✔️ Practice your home escape plan

A working smoke alarm can cut the risk of dying in a house fire in half.

Our Engine 3 crew came to the rescue on Wednesday near Oliver Woods, to help nine tiny ducklings who had fallen into a storm drain. Their worried mother flagged down a passerby, who quickly called for help. The crew removed the drain cover and carefully scooped the little ones into a bucket and reunited them with mom, who led her little ones back toward the forest.

Our Annual Departmental Recognition Ceremony was a success! We celebrated retirements, promotions, new recruits, years‑of‑service milestones — and recognized both past and new Local 905 executive members for their service and leadership.
We are proud of the people who make our department stronger every day.

🔥 Campfire Update – Coastal Fire Centre
As of Friday, May 15 at 12 PM, Category 1 campfires are permitted again across the Coastal Fire Centre due to cooler temperatures and improved conditions.
⚠️ Still prohibited:
❌ Category 2 & 3 open burning
❌ Fireworks
❌ Burn barrels/cages
❌ Exploding targets and similar equipment
✅ If you’re having a campfire:
• Keep fires small and controlled
• Avoid burning in windy conditions
• Maintain a fuel break
• Never leave it unattended
• Fully extinguish before leaving

📍 City of Nanaimo Residents:
The City follows provincial guidance and will again allow backyard cooking fires, in accordance with bylaws:
• Fires must be for cooking only
• Must be in a contained device/fire pit
• Maximum size: 24 inches (≈0.6 m) diameter
• Use only clean, dry wood or briquettes
• Maximum duration: 2 hours
• Open backyard burning is not permitted
Always check local regulations before lighting a fire.
Enjoy safely and stay fire smart! 🔥

Our recruits wrapped up their final day of medical refresher training this week. A huge thank‑you to our medical advocates for their outstanding instruction and support throughout the training. We also want to extend our appreciation to the BC Ambulance Service for providing an excellent ambulance orientation.

Nanaimo Fire Rescue is proud of the strong working relationship we share with our dedicated BC Ambulance paramedics. Working side‑by‑side, we’re committed to providing care, comfort, and support to the people who need us most in our community.

Nanaimo Fire Rescue is looking forward to this afternoon’s Annual Departmental Recognition Ceremony.

Each year, this special event brings us together to celebrate the dedication, professionalism, and achievements of our members. It is an opportunity to recognize important milestones in our people’s careers, including retirements, promotions, the welcoming of new recruits, and significant years-of-service achievements.

These moments reflect the commitment our team members have made to serving our community and supporting one another. We are proud to honour their contributions and celebrate the strength of our organization.