Fire Chief Morgan Hackl to retire in new year

After 36 years of service with the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD), Fire Chief Morgan Hackl announces he will retire from the City of Saskatoon. Chief Hackl’s final day of service is yet to be finalized but is expected to occur before the end of March 2024.

“I have always wanted to lead an organization that would make a difference in our community,” Hackl says. “I hope that during my time here the Saskatoon Fire Department has helped build a city that is a better place to live, work, learn and play.”

Hackl has been a member of SFD for 36 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 of Fire Chief in 2015.

During his eight years as Fire Chief, Hackl’s leadership has had many successes. Among them include: 

• Relocation and construction of Station No. 3 and Station No.5, to optimize response times throughout our community
• Incident Command structure during the Humboldt bus tragedy
• Vision and realization of a regional training facility for fire and emergency services
• Collaboration with 50 community agencies to support the City of Saskatoon and residents through COVID-19
• Proactive work related to homelessness using a whole-community approach, including community safety partnerships with Saskatoon Police Service, community-based organizations and other levels of government 
• Partnership with Saskatchewan Health Authority to establish the  Overdose Outreach Team pilot
• Regional Emergency Management Organization involving multiple municipalities
• Growing opportunities for youth through the FIRE Cadet program
• Creation and delivery of a four-year Strategic Plan 

Most recently, in September the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs recognized Chief Hackl with the 2023 National Fire Chief of the Year Award for his work on community safety and well-being and for building partnerships.

City Manager Jeff Jorgenson says he accepted Chief Hackl's decision to retire with mixed emotions, extending gratitude for not only his tenure as Fire Chief but also for his dedicated 36 years of service to the City of Saskatoon.

“Saskatoon and area are stronger communities because of Chief Hackl’s vision. He has continuously taken a non-traditional approach to public safety initiatives and has embraced out-of-the box thinking.”

Jorgenson also notes Chief Hackl’s most notable accomplishment is his ability to forge important partnerships and build relationships that engage all partners in problem solving and shared leadership. Chief Hackl's influence has stretched across dozens of prominent organizations focused on health care, social services, education, community safety, and truth and reconciliation.

“The development of the regional training facility, establishing the Overdose Outreach Team, and Saskatoon Fire Department’s whole-community approach to safety and well-being are operational examples of Chief Hackl’s leadership. 

“It takes vision and courage to lead the way Chief Hackl does and as an organization we congratulate Chief Hackl on his much-deserved retirement.”