Saskatoon Fire Department hosts Wildland Fire Training Course

As an all-hazards response agency, the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) is committed to evolving alongside the risks that increasingly affect the community. One pressing challenge facing municipalities across Canada is the growing threat of wildland urban interface (WUI) fires—where natural landscapes meet developed urban areas.

With urban expansion encroaching into formerly rural or forested regions, the boundary between city and countryside is becoming less defined. This shift significantly increases the risk of wildfires impacting homes, infrastructure and lives. 

In response to this emerging risk, SFD is proud to partner with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) to host the Responding to the Interface (RTI) training program from September 22 to 25, 2025. This comprehensive course equips firefighters with the knowledge and skills required to safely and effectively respond to WUI incidents, focusing on operational response, command, strategy, and tactics.

The RTI program includes:

• Ten one-hour online modules
• One day of classroom instruction
• One day of hands-on field training

The course will be delivered by experienced IAFF instructors from across Canada and the United States. Firefighters from the Prince Albert Fire Department will also participate. Upon completion, successful candidates will be certified to instruct the RTI course themselves— creating a lasting network of trained local instructors who can deliver future training to all SFD firefighters.

“This training not only enhances our operational readiness but also strengthens long-term regional capacity by equipping our own instructors to deliver high-quality, consistent training within our fire service,” says Acting Assistant Fire Chief Travis Brehaut. “We’re fortunate to offer this training locally and we’re pleased to welcome our colleagues from Prince Albert to join us in this valuable learning opportunity.”

Building on the early success of the RTI pilot project and the strategic partnership between the IAFF and the Government of Canada, this specialized training is available at no cost to municipal fire departments across the country.

This initiative reflects SFD’s dedication to proactive preparedness and community safety in the face of evolving environmental conditions.