Saskatoon Fire Department welcomes five new recruits

Fire Chief Morgan Hackl and other fire officials will welcome five new firefighter-paramedics to the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) at a private graduation ceremony this afternoon. The ceremony will take place at Fire Station No. 1 where the recruits will be presented with their badges and battalion assignments.

The five firefighter-paramedics are the second graduating group this year, following 15 recruits that were hired in April. Each graduate is certified to the level of Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) and is licensed through the Saskatchewan College of Paramedics. As firefighter-paramedics, they are trained, prepared, and experienced in operating effectively on high-hazard emergency scenes. The graduates’ impressive qualifications are reflective of SFD’s commitment to hiring applicants with a broad spectrum of knowledge and experience.

“Our fire department responds to nearly 20,000 calls annually,” says Chief Hackl. “With high call volumes come high expectations. These recruits have rose to the challenge and proven they are ready to provide the best front-line emergency care possible.”

The graduates have worked with SFD’s Fire Service Instructors over the past four weeks to review their firefighter and paramedic skills and prepare them for their new role at the SFD.

“We’re excited to welcome these graduates to our fire service watch them thrive as official members of the Saskatoon Fire Department,” Chief Hackl adds.

The new firefighter-paramedics will start their first shifts beginning Monday, October 3.