Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

Just after 08:00 this morning, Saskatoon Fire Department dispatched one Engine, one Rescue Unit, and a Battalion Chief to a reported collision between a passenger vehicle and a forklift. The accident happened on Boychuk Drive and Slimmons Road. 

The first Engine arrived on scene in just over three minutes. A passenger vehicle with one occupant had rolled onto its side and a large fork lift was a short distance further down the street. The Rescue Unit arrived on scene and both crews worked together to quickly stabilize the vehicle and complete extrication procedures to access and free the driver of the vehicle.

The extent of injuries are undetermined but did not appear to be serious. He was transported by ambulance to the hospital. The driver of the forklift was uninjured. 

Police were on scene to determine the cause of the accident.

At approximately 10:21 p.m. on Wednesday, December 18, 2019, the Saskatoon Fire Department dispatched one fire engine from Fire Station No. 6 to a report of a middle-aged female experiencing chest pain.

While traveling with its emergency equipment activated, the fire engine was involved in a side impact motor vehicle collision at the intersection of Grosvenor Avenue and 8th Street East. The commanding fire officer immediately requested the dispatch of a secondary fire engine to respond to the initial emergency medical incident.

Preliminary review indicates that a passenger car collided with the driver-side cab of the fire engine. Both the car and the fire engine had to be towed from the scene. There were no injuries to fire department personnel or to the occupant of the car as a result of the collision.

This incident remains under investigation with the Saskatoon Police Service and is under review by the Saskatoon Fire Department. 

It is expected that the fire engine will be out-of-service for an extended period of time.

The Saskatoon Fire Department reminds vehicle operators to pull to the right, stop, and not enter an intersection when an emergency vehicle is approaching with its lights and sirens activated. 

At approximately 11:37 p.m. on Sunday, December 15, 2019, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls alerting to a possible residential structure fire at 519 Bayfield Crescent in the Briarwood neighbourhood; it was reported to fire dispatchers that smoke was visibly exiting from the rear of the structure.

Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, and one battalion chief were dispatched for immediate response. Upon arrival, confirmation of a working structure fire was made and one additional fire engine and one fire investigation unit were requested by the commanding fire officer. A fifth fire engine was later dispatched and committed to this incident. Multiple other fire crews were required to respond throughout the duration of this incident to provide rehabilitation and relief for firefighters working on scene.

Fire crews were confronted with heavy and continuous heat and smoke at each attempt to make entry to the structure. The deteriorating structural integrity pushed firefighters to retreat from entry and commence a defensive fire attack strategy. With wind driving its spread, the fire proved challenging to access forcing firefighters to breach exterior doors and windows to conduct ventilation and apply suppression from the outside in a number of locations. All utilities to the structure were shut down with some utility supply lines sustaining significant damage as a result of the fire. The fire was brought fully under control at approximately 7:24 a.m. on Monday, December 16, 2019, with fire crews conducting overhaul efforts until a complete loss stopped was called at approximately 10:30 a.m. 

Fire crews undertook a significant accountability process for the entire duration of this incident to ensure the safety and locations of fire personnel working on scene. There were no injuries to fire personnel or members of the public as a result of this incident.

The structure has been labeled unsafe for entry and is considered a total loss at an estimated $550,000. Due to the deteriorated structural integrity, including a compromised roof and collapsed floor system, a cause has not been determined; however, this incident remains under investigation by both the Saskatoon Fire Department and the Saskatoon Police Service.

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.