January 28, 2026

Parksville Fire Rescue is looking for people who are passionate about helping others and protecting the community to join our team of paid on-call firefighters. We are hoping to fill several positions to increase our team of paid on-call firefighters. We rely on the commitment of volunteer paid on-call and career firefighters to provide fire and emergency response services, ensuring the community’s safety and well-being. Applications are now being accepted until February 27 with training for successful candidates to begin in May.

Are you a looking for a challenge? Are you willing to learn, to help and work well as part of a team? Previous firefighting experience is not required. Fire service is one of the most diverse and challenging professions and it is the diversity and challenge that inspires men and women to volunteer as paid on-call firefighters. We provide professional training and on-the-job experience which is a unique opportunity to learn and develop leadership and communication skills while working with a team of skilled and dedicated firefighters.

Parksville Fire Rescue has proudly served the community since 1942. Paid on-call volunteers and career firefighters provide fire and emergency response services in the Parksville Fire Protection Area. Firefighters are highly skilled professionals who value integrity, honesty, selflessness, commitment, courage, and are hardworking and family oriented. The Parksville Fire Protection Area includes the City of Parksville and contract areas within the Regional District of Nanaimo which include San Pareil, Morningstar, Columbia Beach, French Creek, and the Fourneau Road, Wildgreen, and Martindale Road areas. The population of the fire protection area is about 20,000, increasing substantially in the summer months.

Being a paid on-call firefighter is a rewarding and fulfilling opportunity. We’d love to share more about what we do at Parksville Fire Rescue! Call us at 250 248-3242 to speak directly with an officer and arrange a tour of our facilities. The application deadline for this recruitment period is February 27.

Oceanside Generals and First Responders Charity Hockey Game

The Parksville Firefighters Association Charitable Fund’s next event is a charity hockey game between the Oceanside Generals and local first responders (police, fire ambulance, Canadian Forces, nurses, doctors). The game is set for Friday, January 30 at 7 pm at Oceanside Place. All proceeds from the hockey game will benefit ALS Canada in support of the wife of a Parksville firefighter diagnosed with ALS, and Wounded Warriors Canada.

Parksville Firefighter Petraschuck Running for Wounded Warriors

From February 22 to March 1, a team of eight Canadian runners made up of first responders and military personnel will complete an 800-kilometre run from the northernmost tip of Vancouver Island to Victoria. The team will spend eight days running through many communities, raising funds and awareness for Wounded Warriors Canada mental health programs.

Karen Petraschuk, a volunteer paid on-call firefighter with Parksville Fire Rescue, is one of eight chosen to run in this year’s Wounded Warrior Run; eight days, eight runners and a journey of 800 kilometres on Vancouver Island. Karen is an advocate for staying active and how it can impact a person’s mental health. Karen understands firsthand the struggles of post-traumatic stress disorder and is dedicated to helping break the stigma surrounding trauma, encouraging those struggling to seek support. Karen is passionate about running, a runner since her teens, participating in half marathons and triathlons and who sees fitness as both a physical and mental anchor. To donate to the Wounded Warrior Vancouver Island run on behalf of Karen, please use this link. 

Sidewalk Renewal at Weld and Island Highway

We recently completed a downtown sidewalk renewal project at Weld Street and Island Highway East to replace sidewalk damaged by long‑term tree root intrusion, improve safety and provide a smoother, more accessible walking surface. New planters and trees to be installed in the spring will complete the streetscape improvements and minimize risk of future damage.

Snow and Ice Control Program

We have been experiencing very mild winter conditions in terms of snow and ice. So far over the winter our staff have applied our anti-icing product along with salt on a couple of occasions in anticipation of icy conditions. We take a proactive approach to snow and ice control. Our operations staff regularly monitor weather forecasts, road conditions and deploy resources to apply surface treatment starting with Priority 1 roads and moving on to Priority 2 roads and Priority 3 roads, if necessary.

Anti-icing (Sodium Chloride) application: Involves the application of liquid sodium chloride solution before any snow has fallen or frost/ice has formed. The liquid is sprayed, using tanks and sprayers on the back of one ton or single axle trucks, on the road surface to reduce the opportunity for snow or ice to create a bond with the cold asphalt surface. This also increases the effectiveness of snow plowing, if necessary, should snow be in the forecast. Information about the City’s snow and ice control program is available on Let’s Talk Parksville.

Mobile Food Services in Parksville Community Park

The City has issued an expressions of interest seeking mobile food vendors to provide services from the two designated food truck pads in the Parksville Community Park from May 1 to September 30. An additional food truck to be located within the gathering plaza will be available on select days during this period. Closing date for expressions of interest is February 27 at 4 pm. Successful vendors will be notified by March 11. Details about the program including terms and conditions, available at this link.

Spring Grant-in-Aid Applications

Subject to the provisions of the City’s grant-in-aid policy, the City may provide financial assistance to community groups and organizations for events which benefit our citizens and visitors. Community non-profit organizations in the arts, cultural, recreational, or social services fields are eligible. Deadline 4 pm, February 27. Program, policy, application, and instructions may be obtained at City Hall or from the website.

Watermain Flushing

Flushing is scheduled to begin on February 17 and run through April, about twelve weeks. Flushing is an important part of our ongoing maintenance program to ensure the integrity of the water supply system for residents and businesses. More info to come.

Residential Family Water Rates

Large families with five or more immediate family members consisting of parents and dependent children less than 18 years may qualify for modified water rates. Applications due February 27. Info and application forms from City Hall and the website.

Business licences are due and may be paid by credit card from the City’s website, by mail or in-person at City Hall. Bylaw 1550 requires all businesses obtain a valid licence if doing business in the City. [Business/Licences].

Dog licences due January 31 may be purchased from City Hall and the BC SPCA. The cost to renew is now $25 for spayed/neutered and $35 for not spayed/neutered. All dogs over the age of six months must wear a municipal dog tag, renewed yearly, purchased from the City of Parksville or BCSPCA. 

Temporary closure of Parksville beaches to dogs - to limit disturbance of migrating Black Brant geese, our beaches are subject to seasonal “no dog” restrictions, both on-leash and off-leash within Parksville-Qualicum Beach Wildlife Management Area. Rathtrevor Beach is closed to dogs February 15 to April 30 and Parksville Bay Beach from March 1 to April 30.

2026 special events applications are open for groups and individuals wanting to book City venues or streets. Applications are processed first-come, first-served and must be submitted at least thirty days before the event. Please review policies, forms and details at [Quicklink/Special Event Info] or email questions to events@parksville.ca.

Recycle BC pop-up depot in Parksville accepts free of charge, flexible plastic packaging, white and coloured foam packaging, glass packaging and paper packaging and cardboard. Please refer to Recycle BC website for dates in 2026. Materials may be dropped off from 10 am to 3 pm at 1080 Industrial Way. 

CITY DATES

For more information:

Deb Tardiff, Manager of Communications

communications@parksville.ca; 250 954-3073

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