FireDepartment

Here are some of the most prominent and impactful stories we reported on in 2021 (in no particular order).

Errington Volunteer Fire Department (EVFD) hopes to add a valuable new tool to its emergency response operations.

No injuries or damage were reported after Parksville Volunteer Fire Department responded to a chimney fire on McKinnon Street.

There will be no door-to-door collection due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some fire departments will accept donations at their halls on Nov. 20 and 21.

No injuries were reported after Dashwood Fire Department responded to an RV on fire in a compound in the 3300 block of Island Highway West.

A fire at the Parksville Travelodge that left one person in hospital last week started when a man fell asleep while cooking heroin and lit himself and the bed on fire, according to a support person who was working that night.

“I have no doubt that this fire would have been much more severe if not for the working fire sprinkler system in the building. Fire sprinklers save lives,” said Marc Norris, Parksville fire chief.

The event will take place Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the training centre at 1159 Franklin’s Gull Road in the Industrial Park. Demonstrations will include auto extrication, high angle rope, motor vehicle fire and side-by-side burn.

Campfires will be permitted again in the Parksville Fire Protection Area, effective Sept. 16 at noon, due to the decreased risk of wildland urban interface fires.

The Coombs-Hilliers, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Errington and Dashwood fire departments responded to the fire.