Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
Saskatoon News Releases
Commercial fire - 200 block 2nd Avenue South
October 13, 2023 - 1:00 pm
At 9:57 a.m. on October 13, 2023, the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) Communications Center received a report of a fire on the roof of a building in the 200 Block of 2nd Avenue South. SFD dispatched three fire engines, one ladder truck, one rescue unit and the Battalion Chief. First responding apparatus reported seeing light smoke coming from the structure. Fire crews reported flames showing on the roof of the building. All incoming fire crews were assigned tactical duties. Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) were requested for traffic control to maintain scene safety.
Fire crews extinguished a small fire on the roof of the structure. SPS closed 2nd Avenue South at 10:13 to facilitate the quick extinguishment, Incident Command gave the order to reopen the street at 10:24. Our SFD Fire Investigator was requested to attend.
The Fire Investigator requested a Police Arson Investigator to attend as the fire is deemed suspicious. Damage has been estimated at $10,000. No persons or firefighters were injured because of this fire. The scene has been turned over to the Saskatoon Police Service.
-30-
Residential structure fire - 100 block LeMay Crescent
October 6, 2023 - 4:30 pm
On October 6, 2023 at 12:06 p.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 9-1-1 call for a structure fire in the 100 Block of LeMay Crescent. Three fire engines, one ladder truck, one rescue unit and the Battalion Chief responded. First arriving fire crews reported heavy smoke showing on arrival. All incoming fire crews were assigned their tactical duties. An aggressive interior attack was ordered and the fire was knocked down by 12:15 p.m.
Fire crews searched for extension of the fire and ventilated the smoke and carbon monoxide from the structure. A Fire Investigator was requested to attend to determine the cause and origin of the fire. The Fire Investigator has determined that the fire started by a malfunctioning home appliance and originated in the laundry room. Damage is estimated at $50,000.
No injuries occurred as a result of this fire.
Saskatoon Fire Department celebrates Fire Prevention Week October 8-14
October 6, 2023 - 9:00 am
- Watch what you heat. Always keep a close eye on what you are cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner.
- Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Always keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner.
- Have a “kid- and pet-free zone” of at least one meter (three feet) around the stove or grill and anywhere else hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
- Wear tight-fitted clothing or roll up your sleeves when using the stove. Loose, dangling clothing can easily catch fire.
The Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) to promote this year’s FPW campaign, “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire preventionTM.” The campaign works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take when cooking to keep themselves and those around them safe.
“The most important ingredient in the kitchen is fire safety,” says Yvonne Raymer, Assistant Chief. “A cooking fire can grow quickly and unexpectedly. It’s important to use caution when cooking and to be watchful around heat and open flame. Making a few small changes in the kitchen can make a big difference in protecting you and your family.”
SFD would like to remind residents of a few key safety tips to help reduce the risk of a cooking fire:
In addition to making sure everyone knows about kitchen safety, every household should have working smoke alarms. Residents are encouraged to check smoke alarm batteries monthly and have the batteries replaced yearly or when an alarm is chirping.
To learn more about cooking safety and other fire safety tips, visit saskatoon.ca/firesafety.
For general information about Fire Prevention Week and other fire prevention resources, visit nfpa.org/fpw.
Saskatoon Fire Department welcomes seven new recruits
September 29, 2023 - 3:00 pm
The Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) welcomed its second recruitment class of 2023 at a private graduation ceremony this afternoon. Seven new firefighter-paramedics were recognized for successfully completing SFD's four-week orientation training and introduced as new members of the fire service. Each recruit was presented with their badge and battalion assignment.
All seven firefighter-paramedics worked under the guidance of SFD’s Staff Development and Safety team to complete training in firefighting, technical rescue, hazardous material mitigation and community relations. The new recruits are also certified to the level of Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) and are licensed through the Saskatchewan College of Paramedics. Their extensive training and experience have prepared them for operating effectively in high-hazard emergency scenes.
“The safety of our firefighters is of utmost importance at SFD and the key to safe and efficient performance is through comprehensive training”, says Anthony Tataryn, Assistant Chief of Staff Development and Safety. “Our four-week orientation training involves not only reviewing recruits' firefighter and paramedic skills but also challenging their skill sets beyond basic drills. Our aim is to further develop their competencies and expose them to a broad spectrum of emergency scenarios.”
"SFD's all-hazard emergency response expands beyond fighting fires. Our fire service responds to over 21,000 incidents each year and the type of response can range from routine medical calls to complex technical rescues or hazardous material incidents, demonstrating the diverse scope of emergencies our firefighters face. It’s important that we find individuals who are not only committed to serving our community but are also qualified in a variety of skill sets."
The new firefighter-paramedics will start their first shifts beginning Monday, October 2.
Chief Hackl adds, “We are excited to welcome these seven firefighter-paramedics to the fire service and we look forward to their continued success at SFD.”
Structure Fire - 100 Block of Tufts Way
September 27, 2023 - 8:00 am
At 3:36 a.m. on September 27, 2023, the Saskatoon Fire Department Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call reporting a fire in a partially constructed duplex. Three fire engines, one ladder truck, one rescue unit and the Battalion Chief were dispatched. First arriving fire crews reported smoke and flames showing. Fire was brought under control at 3:50 a.m. The Fire Investigator was requested to attend.
There was no persons inside at the time of SFD's attendance. No injuries to civilians or firefighters occurred as a result of this fire.
A scene examination was conducted by the SFD Fire Investigator who concluded this fire was deliberately set. Origin of the fire was on the main floor causing $5000 damage to a framed up wall.
Saskatoon Police will be following up on their portion of the investigation. If anyone has information regarding this fire, please call 306-975-8300.
Commercial Fire in Corman Park
September 21, 2023 - 11:45 am
On September 20, 2023 at 7:26pm the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a call reporting what appeared to be a structure on fire at an industrial park along 16 Highway just past 71st Street in the RM of Corman Park.
Two fire engines, one brush truck, one rescue unit, one tanker and the Battalion Chief were dispatched. First arriving fire crews on scene reported smoke and flames at the rear of the building. Fire suppression activities commenced on a pile of material adjacent to the building with fire crews bringing the fire under control at 7:56pm. Entry into the interior of the structure was made to see if fire had entered the building. It was confirmed the fire had not entered the building and that there was a build-up of light smoke only. Fire crews continued to monitor the structural components of the building with thermal imaging cameras and searched for fire extension. No fire extension was discovered.
The fire was declared extinguished at 8:41pm. This fire event was located within the Municipality of Corman Park which is recognized as the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agencies district of responsibility and therefore a Saskatoon Fire Investigator did not attend.
No injuries to civilians or firefighters occurred as a result of this fire.
Damage estimate is unknown.
Saskatoon Fire Chief Morgan Hackl named National Fire Chief of the Year
September 20, 2023 - 3:00 pm
On September 19, 2023, Chief Hackl was presented with the 2023 National Fire Chief of the Year Award by the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs. The theme - partnerships and community safety & well-being (CSWB).
Chief Hackl was recognized for reimagining and expanding the roles of Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) in non-traditional public safety initiatives through community collaboration and outreach partnerships. By embracing creative solutions and out-of-the box thinking, SFD continually found new ways to support and provide leadership in community safety.
City Manager, Jeff Jorgenson, says "Chief Hackl is a true community leader. He gained firsthand knowledge of the challenges to the most vulnerable in the community he serves, participating this year in the Sanctum Survivor Challenge, where he spent 36 hours living as if homeless on the streets of Saskatoon.”
Jorgenson says Chief Hackl recognizes that community challenges are a shared responsibility, and that Saskatoon Fire plays a key role our community’s most challenging issues. From his role as a strong mentor and supporter of Saskatoon Fire Executive Officers, to his leadership throughout the Covid-19 pandemic - specifically his team putting in place an Incident Management structure to assist over 50 community agencies working with Saskatoon’s most vulnerable.
Jorgenson also praises Chief Hackl’s ability to forge important relationships, such as his partnership building between Saskatchewan Health Authority and Saskatoon Fire to establish an Overdose Outreach Team comprised of Saskatoon Fire Primary Care Paramedics and SHA Addictions Counsellors is another example of his unique and innovative approach. Jorgenson adds Hackl believes in and supports a whole-community Emergency Management and Community Risk Reduction approach that engages all partners in problem solving and shared leadership.
“It takes vision and courage to lead the way Chief Hackl does and as an organization we congratulate him on this much deserved recognition!”
Hackl has been a member of the Saskatoon Fire Department for 35 years, starting as a firefighter and moving up to captain. He later served as battalion chief and assistant chief before being promoted to his current role in 2015.
Recyclable Material Fire - 1900 block 1st Avenue North
September 15, 2023 - 3:00 pm
At 12:38 p.m. on September 15, 2023, the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) Communications Center received a report of a possible structure fire at a commercial property in the 1900 Block of 1st Avenue North. SFD dispatched three fire engines, one ladder truck, one rescue unit and the Battalion Chief. First arriving apparatus reported the fire was isolated to a pile of recyclable material outside the structure and not threating to spread. Other responding apparatus were downgraded to a non emergent response to minimize the impact on the public.
Fire crews with the help of the staff on site spread the pile out in the parking lot allowing the fire to be readily extinguished. The on duty SFD Fire Investigator was requested to attend.
The fire was brought under control at 1:07 p.m. The damage was isolated to the recyclable material with no damage sustained to equipment or the structure. No staff or firefighters were injured because of this fire. Fire crews and the fire investigator have all returned to their respective stations.
Multiple suspicious fires - Stonebridge Boulevard, Clarence Avenue South, Cope Crescent
September 14, 2023 - 4:30 pm
At 2:57 a.m., on September 14, 2023, the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a 911 call reporting a fire in the 100 Block of Stonebridge Boulevard. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one ladder truck and the Battalion Chief were dispatched. On arrival, multiple gas pumps and the canopy over the pumps were observed to be on fire. All responding fire crews were assigned their tactical duties. The fire was brought under control quickly and the crews used the ladder truck to access the canopy to ensure the fire was fully extinguished. The Fire Investigator was requested to attend. Fire caused $40,000 in damage, and is considered suspicious.
The SFD Fire Investigator was made aware of other fires that were small but of interest due to the time lines.
A fire was investigated in the 3000 Block of Clarence Avenue South which occurred at 3:51 a.m. on September 14, 2023. This fire was contained to a metal bin used to contain discarded material. The fire is considered suspicious. Incident 23-17036
A third fire was investigated in the 100 Block of Cope Crescent which occurred at 3:59 a.m. on September 14, 2023. This fire was contained to a small waste disposal bin. This fire is considered suspicious. Incident 23-17038.
Another call was made to Saskatoon Fire Central Dispatch Center at 7:22 am on September 14, 2023. The caller reported an extinguished fire in the 3000 block of Clarence Avenue South. This was a separate address from the previous fire call that morning. On arrival fire crews found multiple waste disposal bins that showed signs of an extinguished fire. These fires are considered suspicious. Incident 23-17040
These fires will be followed up by the Saskatoon Police Service.
If anyone has any information or evidence related to these fires, please contact the Saskatoon Police Service at 306-975-8300.
Structure Fire - 000 block of Morris Drive
September 11, 2023 - 9:00 am
At 2:40 a.m. on September 11, 2023, the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a call for a house on fire. They reported that occupants were evacuating. Three fire engines, one ladder truck, one rescue unit and the Battalion Chief were dispatched. Second caller reported the fire at the rear of the house. First arriving fire crews reported flames going through the roof. All incoming fire crews were assigned their tactical duties. An offensive extinguishment was initiated by the firefighters. On the main floor, firefighters encountered heavy fire load making their advancement challenging into the structure. At 3:26 a.m. the fire was brought under control.
Two occupants, a dog and three snakes evacuated safely. No injuries to firefighters or civilians occurred as a result of this fire.
The Fire Investigator is in attendance conducting a cause and origin scene examination. Fire originated on the attached deck at the rear of the single family dwelling unit. A cause will be released as soon as practical. Damage is estimated at $200,000.