Since 1895, the Cumberland Volunteer Fire Department has provided its community with dedicated service. They have been recognized as the oldest organized volunteer fire department still active in British Columbia. Fifty year medals have been awarded to many of the members of the department, showing the commitment and dedication of the Cumberland force.

In the town of Cumberland, two major fires occurred within 18 months of each other putting the members of the force to the test. The first fire took place on February 11th, 1932 and started in the Campbell Brothers Store. This fire completely destroyed several other buildings in the middle and west end of the block. Cumberland’s most infamous fire occurred on July 13th, 1933. Eighteen commercial buildings and ten houses were engulfed in flames. The entire block of Dunsmuir and Derwent, from Second to Third was leveled, as was half of the block on the north side of Dunsmuir.

The Chinese and Japanese faced many hardships when it came to fires their communities. The C.V.F.D. was very successful when it came to fighting fires in the community of Cumberland, but was hampered with the Oriental communities because the water system did not extend to those settlements. Over a period of 35 years, the Oriental community had seen six separate fires destroying over 115 buildings. The C.V.F.D. was asked to demolish the remaining area of Chinatown because it was seen as a hazard.

In 1970, a new fire hall was constructed replacing the building that was built in 1956-1957. The village also acquired two new fire trucks. The C.V.F.D. continues to serve the town of Cumberland and surrounding area.