After more than 40 years of service, a familiar face in View Royal’s emergency response community is preparing to step away.
Fire Chief Paul Hurst has announced he will retire from the View Royal Fire Department on October 1st, bringing to a close a career that began when he was just a teenager.
For many in Greater Victoria, Hurst became a recognizable and trusted voice during emergencies, often serving as the department’s spokesperson and providing clear updates to media and the public during critical incidents.
Hurst grew up around the fire hall, where his father, George Hurst, served as a volunteer captain for more than two decades. He began helping out at just 12-years-old, officially joined as a volunteer at 16, became a career firefighter in 1988 and was appointed Fire Chief in 2006.
Over the years, Hurst helped shape not only the View Royal Fire Department, but fire services across the region. He played a key role in developing the View Royal Public Safety Building, which opened in 2015 after nearly a decade of planning, replacing the original 1957 fire hall.
He was also instrumental in advancing the Westshore auto aid response model and consistently advocated for a more coordinated regional fire service across Greater Victoria.
Beyond View Royal, Hurst served as Fire Chief for both the Songhees Nation and Esquimalt Nation, helping strengthen emergency response partnerships between neighbouring communities.
Hurst received the Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal from the Governor General of Canada in 2004, along with additional bars recognizing 30 and 40 years of service. In 2014, he was awarded the British Columbia Fire Fighter Medal of Bravery after rescuing a young girl from a house fire.
In recent years, he has also been a strong advocate for mental health. In 2022, Hurst ran 640 kilometres from Port Hardy to Victoria in support of Wounded Warriors Canada, raising funds and awareness for first responders, veterans, and their families.
“It has been an honour and privilege to serve the residents of the Town of View Royal and the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations,” said Hurst.
“View Royal was my priority, and I gave everything I had to protect our community.”
View Royal Mayor Sid Tobias said Hurst’s impact will be felt for years to come.
“His Medal of Bravery speaks to extraordinary courage, but it is his consistency, leadership, and commitment that define his legacy,” said Tobias.
“He did not just serve, he helped shape the department and those who will carry it forward.”
The Town of View Royal says more details on transition plans and ways to recognize Hurst’s career will be shared in the coming months.
