Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
Saskatoon News Releases
Fire Station No. 4 – Precautionary Quarantine
March 12, 2020 - 9:07 am
The Saskatoon Fire Department confirms that Fire Station No. 4 is under a precautionary quarantine.
At approximately 10:02 p.m. on March 11, 2020, one fire engine responded to a medical call for a patient experiencing shortness of breath. It became known that the patient was to be tested for COVID-19.
The quarantine of four staff members is a precautionary measure and will remain in effect until COVID-19 test results can be obtained and reviewed for the patient that was being treated.
There will not be any disruption to the Saskatoon Fire Department's response model as a result of this precautionary measure.
In an emergency, call 911 immediately.
2 Vehicle MVC at College Dr and Preston Ave
March 11, 2020 - 9:50 pm
On March 11, 2020 at approximately 7:27 p.m. The Saskatoon Fire Department received a 9-1-1 call reporting a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of College Dr and Preston Ave north. The initial report indicated the occupants may be trapped in the vehicles. The fire department responded with 1 engine company, 1 rescue company and 1 battalion chief. Crews arrived to find two vehicles involved with a total of 5 people occupying them. Fire crews were able to quickly assess the situation and gain access to the patients without the use of rescue tools. Fire paramedics completed patient assessments and were able to remove the patients from the vehicles before they were transported to hospital for further treatment.
The extent of the injuries were not believed to be serious, and the cause of the accident is undetermined at this time.
Announcement: Yvonne Raymer appointed to Assistant Chief
March 10, 2020 - 10:43 am
The Saskatoon Fire Department is uniquely pleased to announce the appointment of Yvonne Raymer to the rank of Assistant Chief – Public Relations & Community Risk Reduction.
Yvonne started her career with the Saskatoon Fire Department in 1995 serving citizens in the administrative office. In 1997, she obtained a position as a fire dispatcher where she gained operational experience, knowledge of protocols and rural agreements, and an understanding of departmental emergency response. A decade later, in 2007, Yvonne transferred into the Fire Prevention & Investigation section as a Fire Inspector where she went on to attain Fire Investigation Level IV certification.
She has extensive knowledge of the National Building Code, National Fire Code, Fire Safety Act, Cities Act, as well as the Property Maintenance Bylaw. Further, she has fostered strong working relationships with community members and elected officials, bringing great value to our City.
Yvonne is the first female in the history of the Saskatoon Fire Department to receive the appointment of a chief officer rank. She will begin serving Saskatoon in her new capacity from the Office of the Fire Chief effective April 1, 2020.
Congratulations, Chief Raymer, and thank-you for sharing your success with that of the fire service!
Storage tank fire at the Nutrien Vanscoy Potash Operation
March 8, 2020 - 6:16 am
At 22:20, March 7th, 2020 The Saskatoon Fire Department received a request from the R.M. of Montrose Fire Dept. for assistance in dealing with a fire at the Nutrien Vanscoy Potash Operation at 16 Agrium Rd, Vanscoy. The initial request was for Hazmat support and consultation in dealing with a chemical fire that involve 3 tanks. Hazmat 7 was dispatched at approximately 20:32 and reported to Incident Command on site.
Hazmat 7 assisted with developing an Incident Action Plan and it was determined that 2 Engines with master stream capability would be a starting point for gaining control of the fire and protecting nearby structures. The 2 Engines were added to the dispatch at 00:15 and remained on scene until the operation scaled back. At approx. 05:00 the SFD was released from the scene, however the incident is still ongoing.
A damage estimate has not been given and there were no reported injuries due to this incident. Complete product descriptions and amounts are not available at the time of this release.
Safety Reminder: tips to keep sidewalks safe & clear in freeze-thaw conditions
March 6, 2020 - 2:55 pm
- Clear snow before it settles, hardens, and packs-down
- Chip ice during the day when it is soft and easier to break
- Use sand or salt to increase traction and/or melt ice from the sidewalk
- Leave snow on your yard to keep drains and curbs clear
As spring gets closer, the Saskatoon Fire Department would like to pass on some tips to help make sidewalks safer during the freeze-thaw cycle that is beginning to occur.
Keeping sidewalks safe for pedestrians
Be a good neighbour to help prevent slips and falls: residents are required to clear sidewalks adjacent to their property within 48 hours from when any snow, ice, or debris forms or builds up.
What you can do:
Be careful walking on icy or snow-covered sidewalks.
Preventing a fall:
If you encounter snow and/or ice on the sidewalk, walk like a penguin!
Keep your weight over your front leg, take small steps, and maintain a shoulder-width foot separation with your toes angled outwards; doing this will increase your stability and helps reduce the risk of a fall.
Help firefighters!
If you have a hydrant located on or near your property, please clear about a meter or a 3-foot perimeter around it. In an emergency, seconds count; this will help firefighters locate and efficiently connect to the hydrant in the event that you or your neighbours experience a fire emergency.
In an emergency, call 911 immediately.
For more information regarding Bylaw No. 8463, The Sidewalk Clearing Bylaw, visit www.saskatoon.ca/bylaws.