Gibsons and District Volunteer Fire Department

The Gibsons and District Volunteer Fire Department (GDVFD) has been providing life and property protection to the West Howe Sound Fire Protection District since 1937. The fire department serves a population of approximately 12,000 including 4,758 in the Town of Gibsons (2021 census) and the fire protection district covers an area of roughly 22.7 square kilometres.

Volunteer firefighters and officers are instrumental to the operation of the department. With a full complement of 45 members, their duties include 24/7 response to fire and rescue operations while also maintaining the operational readiness of all apparatus and equipment. There is operational support to the volunteer members with paid full-time staff consisting of the fire chief, deputy chief, assistant chief, fire prevention officer and fire inspector.

Main Fire Hall LocationSatellite Fire Hall Location
790 North Road, Gibsons, BC V0N 1V9 Telephone: 604-885-6870 (non-emergency) 24 hour Duty Officer: 604-741-8200 FOR EMERGENCIES CALL 9-1-1Cliff Mahlman Fire Hall 1226 Chaster Road Telephone: 604-885-6870 (non-emergency) 24 hour Duty Officer: 604-741-8200 FOR EMERGENCIES CALL 9-1-1

Meet Fire Chief Rob Michael

Rob Michael was born on the Sunshine Coast, moving away when he was young. He moved back in 2001 and promptly joined one of the local volunteer fire departments.

He is currently the Fire Chief for the Gibsons and District Volunteer Fire Department and has a variety of previous experiences working with volunteer, industrial and composite fire departments on the Sunshine Coast.

Rob has a Diploma of Fire & Safety Studies through the Justice Institute of British Columbia and holds a Certificate in Emergency Management. Additionally, he has extensive experience with the local emergency program where, due to provincial and local government deployments, he has assisted with wildfires and supported staffing in emergency operations centers.

In 2023, Rob was awarded his Executive Chief Fire Officer (ECFO) designation through the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs. This designation acknowledges the professional conduct, training, education and skills required of fire service leaders today.

Fire Regulations

Backyard burning is typically only allowed from October 15 and April 15 inclusive in Area E (Elphinstone) and F (West Howe Sound) areas within the Gibsons and District Fire Protection District. The Town of Gibsons does not allow backyard burning.

Backyard Burning Regulations

  • Fires will only be permitted from October 15th to April 15th when the Ventilation Index (for Central Vancouver Island) is rated as “Good”.
  • Backyard fires are only for the purpose of disposing of vegetative yard and garden waste that originates on the property where the fire is taking place. The burning of garbage, construction waste or toxic materials is not allowed.
  • Fires must not exceed 2m in diameter, 1m in height and must be a minimum of 15m from any building and 5m inside property lines and clear of all combustible material.
  • The fire must be attended by a competent person at all times and a garden hose should be close at hand.

Residents can self-haul and drop off green waste at no charge at the following locations:

  • Town of Gibsons Public Works Yard at 915 Henry Road, Gibsons.
  • Pender Harbour Transfer Station at 5545 Garden Bay Road, Pender Harbour.
  • Salish Soils at 5646 Schetxwen Road, Sechelt.

Campfires are allowed year round but may be banned by the Fire Chief during high risk periods; inclusive in Area E (Elphinstone) and F (West Howe Sound) areas within the Gibsons and District Fire Protection District. The Town of Gibsons does not allow campfires.

  • Machine piled debris from land clearing fires are allowed year-round until banned by the Fire Chief during high risk periods and require a permit and site inspection. Call the fire hall to make an appointment during regular office hours. The fee for a permit is $25, the fine for not having one is $250.
  • Persons burning land clearing debris must comply with the Provincial Open Burning Smoke Control Regulations. The Venting Index Hotline number is 1-888-281-2992; use the Sechelt forecast for the Sunshine Coast.
  • Land clearing fires must adhere to the conditions set forth in SCRD Bylaw 631.

Gibsons and District Fire Protection Commission

Gibsons and District Fire Protection Commission provides information to the elected officials located in the West Howe Sound Fire Protection District.

The commission is also responsible for reviewing the Gibsons Fire Protection strategic plan and five-year financial plan and make recommendations on policy direction for fire protection services in the area.