Our History
Explore below to learn about our department and society history within the City of Chilliwack.
History of Chilliwack
Chilliwack is a city in British Columbia’s eastern Fraser Valley whose history begins thousands of years ago in the traditional territory of the Stó:lō peoples, “People of the River,” who built communities and livelihoods around the Fraser River and its connected waterways. The name Chilliwack comes from the Halq’eméylem “Ts’elxwéyeqw,” explained by Stó:lō elders as connected to traveling “as far as you can go upriver” by canoe, showing how important river travel and the landscape were to the area.
In the 1800s, colonial expansion and the 1858 Fraser River Gold Rush brought major change, as newcomers moved through the valley and settlements grew. Chilliwack developed into an agricultural center thanks to fertile soils and abundant water, and it expanded as transportation routes improved. The region’s municipal structure evolved over time: the Township of Chilliwhack was incorporated in 1873 and the City in 1908, the city and township amalgamated into the District of Chilliwack on January 1, 1980, and it officially became the City of Chilliwack on July 16, 1999.
Charitable Society
Our motto, “Raising Hopes, Fulfilling Dreams,” reflects our commitment to turning everyday acts of kindness into lasting change. As a registered charity , we operate with transparency and efficiency, ensuring over 95% of funds raised return directly to the community—no paid positions means every dollar counts.
From humble beginnings, we’ve grown to include approximately 150 volunteer members across six fire halls, blending the expertise of full-time career firefighters with the dedication of paid-on-call responders. Over the years, we’ve raised more than $90,000 through grassroots efforts, supporting everything from burn recovery to youth empowerment.
- Annual Pancake Breakfast: A Canada Day staple since at least 2019, this beloved event has raised thousands for burn survivors. In 2019 alone, it generated $8,000 for the B.C. Firefighters Burn Fund. Post-amalgamation, we’ve expanded it to include traditions, with family pricing ($10/adult, free for kids under 12) and all proceeds supporting local charities.
- Fall Food Drive: Held annually in September (most recently on Sept. 20, 2025), this drive collects non-perishables and cash at Fire Hall 1. The 2025 event filled over 10 boxes of food and raised $1,000, all directed to the Salvation Army Food Bank via raffle proceeds.
- Poker Tournament: A fresh addition to add to our heritage, the inaugural Charitable Society Poker Tournament in early 2025 promised an afternoon of cards, food, and fun to benefit community programs.
- Other Highlights: We’ve supported the Terry Fox Run with $300 donations for cancer research and partnered with local light shows for holiday giving. Look for our booths at community fairs and seasonal drives—join us and make a difference!
Fire Department
The Chilliwack Fire Department is committed to protecting and serving the community of Chilliwack. Operating across six strategically located fire halls, our department is comprised of career staff and paid on call firefighters to provide comprehensive emergency services across all urban, suburban, and rural areas of Chilliwack
In addition, our department provides fire prevention, life safety education, inspections, code enforcement, fire investigations, community outreach, and emergency preparedness programs
The Chilliwack Fire Department’s history isn’t just about equipment and buildings, it’s about the people who have walked through the doors of the fire halls to protect neighbours, build safety programs, mentor new recruits, and strengthen community resilience. From early volunteer crews to today’s professional force, the spirit of service continues to be at the heart of everything we do.
Our goal is to help build a safer, more resilient Chilliwack and ready for whatever challenges come our way
