Regional District extends gratitude to outgoing Fire Chief on his many years of service

Pemberton, BC – After 20 years of service at the Britannia Beach Volunteer Fire Department and more than 40 years in the fire service industry, Rob Nicholls is hanging up his Fire Chief’s helmet.

Under Nicholls’ leadership, the Britannia Beach Volunteer Fire Department has grown to more than 40 members, serving an area with growing call volume and service complexity.

“On behalf of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Board, I want to extend our sincere gratitude to Chief Rob Nicholls for his remarkable 20 years of service to the Britannia Beach Volunteer Fire Department. His leadership, dedication and commitment to community safety have helped build a strong, resilient department that residents rely on every day,” said SLRD Board Chair, Jen Ford. “Chief Nicholls has been a cornerstone of the Britannia Beach Volunteer Fire Department and his impact on the community will be felt for years to come.”

Taking over the helm from Chief Nicholls will be Pat Wiebe, who joins the SLRD as Fire Chief for the Howe Sound East Fire Service.

Previously Acting Captain and Senior Firefighter with Abbotsford Fire and Rescue Service, Wiebe brings more than 30 years of experience in fire services and has built a career spanning volunteer, paid-on-call and career fire departments. In addition to his firefighting experience, Wiebe is a training officer and a sessional instructor with the Justice Institute of B.C. Fire Academy. He has instructed first responder and CPR programs for the Britannia Beach Volunteer Fire Department over the past 10 years.

The establishment of a full-time Fire Chief position for Howe Sound East is a proactive step to ensure the Howe Sound East Fire Service can effectively manage growth, maintain service levels and provide safe, reliable response to an increasingly complex and expanding community.

“As we thank Chief Nicholls for his contributions and celebrate his lasting legacy, we are looking ahead with enthusiasm,” added Ford. “The creation of a full-time fire chief position signals a new chapter; one that strengthens our ability to protect and serve Howe Sound East as it continues to grow. We are excited to welcome Chief Pat Wiebe into this new full-time role – an important step forward that marks a new era for the Howe Sound East Fire Service and ensures we are well-positioned to meet the needs of a growing and evolving community.”

While he’s stepping back from the Fire Chief role, Nicholls will remain on the Britannia Beach Volunteer Fire Department crew as an auxiliary member, where he can continue to provide service to the community and assistance to the fire department.

Nicholls’ last day as Fire Chief is June 30, 2026. Wiebe has joined the SLRD team and will be based out of the Britannia Beach firehall.