Reginald (Reg) Longhurst – April 14, 1940 to August 19, 2026
The Creston Valley Fire Service and the Town of Creston are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Reg Longhurst. Reg was the Town of Creston’s first full-time career Fire Chief, serving from 1980 until 2000. Prior to his move to Creston, Reg was the Fire Chief in Logan Lake and was also a member of the Kitimat Fire Department as well as serving in the Vancouver Fire Commissioner’s Office.
When Reg joined Creston Fire Rescue in 1980, he became the leader of a small but mighty crew of just 14 volunteer members. He worked tirelessly to grow his team and is the true definition of leading by example. Reg loved being a firefighter, so much so that when he retired as the Town of Creston's Fire Chief in the year 2000, he opted to join the ranks of being a Paid-On-Call firefighter with Creston Fire Rescue serving officially until December 31, 2019.
Reg made it his personal mission to treat all his firefighters equally in a time when there wasn’t a lot of diversity in the fire service. In 1982, Chief Longhurst was also one of the driving forces behind the renovations of the former Overwaitea building to convert it into the Creston Fire Hall on 10th Ave. N. Reg’s passion for the Town of Creston and his impact as a true leader lives on in every firefighter he inspired, a few of whom are still with the Creston Valley Fire Service today.
We remember and honour a life dedicated to service, courage and community. As former FDNY Chief Edward F. Croker said, “his is a noble calling”. We are grateful for the legacy that Reg has left behind and will carry his memory forward in our hearts. Rest easy, Chief. ❤️🔥