Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

The Saskatoon Fire Department is pleased to recognize Mr. Dave Hume, a civilian whose instinctive actions and proactive training resulted in a remarkable and positive outcome to an emergency cardiac event.

On September 3, 2019 at approximately 10:27 a.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department was alerted to a working cardiac arrest in the Umea Vast Park, behind the Lawson Heights Mall, located at 134 Primrose Drive. One fire engine staffed with a crew of four was immediately dispatched from Fire Station No. 7 on Wanuskewin Road. Arriving on scene in less than three minutes, the crew found the patient, 70 year-old Mr. John Wiebe, connected to a public automated external defibrillator (AED) with bystanders performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Mr. Dave Hume was among those bystanders. He has an extensive background in community advocacy for public knowledge and access to AEDs and CPR training. Mr. Hume coordinated the efforts of fellow bystanders, including providing instruction on where to locate and how to connect the AED, in addition to beginning CPR on Mr. Wiebe. Those efforts helped save a life. It was also Mr. Hume’s advocacy and fundraising that allowed for the availability of an AED at this location. Awareness, accessibility, and adequate training to members of the public on CPR and AEDs can bridge the small, but life-changing lapse in time until firefighter-paramedics arrive to provide patient care.

The Saskatoon Fire Department has adopted the National Fire Protection Association’s 1710 model, Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments, which provides a benchmark standard of a four-minute response time that is to be met at greater than or equal to the 90^th percentile.

With nine fire stations throughout Saskatoon, the Saskatoon Fire Department takes great pride in its ability to respond to any location in the City within four minutes. Currently staffing 140 Primary Care Paramedics (PCP), 50 Medical First Responders, and having all staff trained to perform CPR and operate AEDs, the Saskatoon Fire Department follows industry best practice of a four person team conducting high performance CPR. Emphasis is placed on starting CPR as quickly as possible, having minimal interruption, and a dedicated role of each rescuer; a multi-faceted approach in a simultaneous response, rescuers begin CPR, connect an AED, and provide airway management and supplemental oxygen in working towards the best possible outcome for the patient. As indicated by the Heart & Stroke Foundation, rescuers will perform high quality chest compressions at full capacity for approximately two minutes, at which time it is in the interest of the patient’s best care to cycle through duties, as done when conducting high performance CPR.

This incident demonstrates the importance of community members participating in adequate CPR training and familiarizing themselves with the operation and location of public AEDs.

Thank-you, Mr. Dave Hume, for your instinctive actions on September 3, 2019 and your continued community advocacy in the areas of public awareness, accessibility, and adequate training for CPR and AED usage.

The City of Saskatoon operates several storm water retention ponds in neighbourhoods throughout the City. Many residents choose to use these ponds for recreational purposes, including skating and ice hockey. It is reminded that individuals who choose to use the storm water retention ponds for recreational purposes assume all associated risk in doing so.

The Saskatoon Fire Department regularly tests and monitors ice thickness at ponds around the City to verify its integrity. The ice must reach a minimum thickness of at least 8 inches to be considered safe for public recreational use. Signage posted at each pond will indicate whether or not the pond is safe for use. Be sure to check the posted signage each time you are considering using the pond. The sign will display a “No Skating” icon until the ice has been tested and is confirmed safe for public use, at which time a “Skating Permitted” icon will be displayed on the sign.

Community members choosing to use the ponds for recreational purposes are responsible for any maintenance of the ice that may be required, including shoveling and flooding, as well as user safety.

For more information regarding the Recreational Uses of Storm Water Retention Ponds policy, visit www.saskatoon.ca/ponds.

Always exercise an elevated level of caution when using any ice-covered body of water for recreational purposes.

In an emergency, call 911 immediately.

At Approximately 12:15, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a report of a garage fire. Four Engine Companies, one Ladder Company and one Battalion chief responded.

On arrival, the detached garage was fully involved.

The fire was brought under control in approximately 20 min. Crews then checked for extention to the home and worked on remaining hot spots.

A Fire Investigator was called to the scene. A cause and damage estimate has not yet been given. There were no reported injuries

Just before 4 am this morning, The Saskatoon Fire Department responded to a single motor vehicle accident on 22nd St. West & Bowlt Cres.. One engine company and a rescue unit were dispatched to a vehicle that left the road and hit a concrete pillar. The Jaws of Life and Rescue cutters were used to remove the doors to extricate four patients from the vehicle. All patients were transported to hospital. 

Cause of the accident is still under investigation and condition of patients is unknown at this time..

The Saskatoon Fire Department responded to it's third garage fire around 1:50 am behind 2607 Irvine Ave. Three engine companies, a ladder truck, a rescue unit, and a Battalion Chief were dispatched to the scene.

The first arriving apparatus noticed heavy smoke and flames coming from a rear garage on the property. The crew made an aggressive interior attack followed up by a second backup crew. They had the fire under control and extinguished within 15 minutes. Crews made sure there were no further extension. 

The garage sustained heavy damage. There were no injuries reported. 

The fire is under investigation and no damage estimate given at this time.