Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

At 12:57 p.m., on September 30, 2022, the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a call for a female hanging off the overpass on Taylor Street over Circle Drive.  Dispatched were one fire engine, one ladder truck, one rescue unit and the Battalion Chief.  First arriving crew at 1:01 p.m. reported a female hanging over the freeway requiring rescue.  Incoming fire crews were assigned their duties on their arrival.  At 1:05 p.m., the ladder truck, SFD's Ladder 8 set up and got in position to rescue the female.  A firefighter entered the area and was secured to the chain link fence to reduce the risk of the female falling .  Police on scene stopped traffic to create a safe working space for the fire crews and motorists.  Firefighters maintained verbal contact with the female while a firefighter was secured in the basket of the ladder truck and got positioned close to the female.  When the female attempted to move away from the ladder truck, the firefighter secured to the fence pinned himself and the female to the chain link so the ladder truck could position under them and bring the female into the bucket.  

The female was brought down safely to the ground without incident at 1:11 p.m.   The scene and the female were turned over to the Saskatoon Police Service.  Our partners at City of Saskatoon were notified that firefighters had cut the chain link fence to allow access.  Repairs to the fence will be followed up. 

No injuries to the female, motorists, firefighters or police occurred as a result of this rescue.

At 5:45 a.m., on September 30, 2022, the Saskatoon Fire Department received an automatic alert from the ambulance service of a male trapped in the bin of a garbage truck.  One fire engine and the Battalion Chief responded to the 200 block of 1st Avenue South.  On arrival, fire crews identified an unknown age male, inside the bin of an automated garbage truck.  The male was not injured but needed assistance out of the bin.  At 6:06 a.m., the SFD fire crews assisted the person out of the bin.  No automatic tools were required.  It is unknown if the person was unhoused or searching the bin for recyclables.  

The driver had been alerted to the person in the bin by hearing him yell out.  Driver stopped and identified a person in the bin on the truck's camera.

The male was turned over to the ambulance service for an assessment.  Fire crew returned to their station.

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.

At 6:50 a.m. on September 29, 2022, the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a report of a structure fire at Highway 14 and Dalmeny Grid.  Two fire engines, one brush truck, one tanker unit, one rescue unit and the Battalion Chief were dispatched.  First arriving fire crews reported flames coming from metal doors of a structure.  Incoming crews were assigned their tactical duties.  At 7:22 a.m., the main portion of the fire was knocked down.  Fire crews remain on scene at this time.

This fire is within Saskatoon's city limits.  An SFD Fire Investigator has been requested to attend.

Details will follow once they are available.

At 10:57 p.m. on September 22, 2022, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a call for a fire in the suite on the 3rd floor of a multi-residential structure in the 300 Block of Kingsmere Boulevard.  Four fire engines, a ladder truck, a rescue unit and the Battalion Chief were dispatched to the scene.  First arriving fire crews reported to all incoming crews that there was smoke showing from a third floor window.  All incoming fire crews were assigned their tactical duties.  The fire alarm was ringing but evacuation of the building was not complete.  The Saskatoon Police Service assisted fire crews in completing evacuation and keeping everyone out of the building.  Firefighters were quick to begin extinguishing the fire.     

This fire was brought under control at 11:38 p.m.  One dog was rescued by firefighters but two cats did not survive.  Occupants were alerted to the fire in the unit by their smoke alarm.  They attempted to extinguish the fire which was too large for a fire extinguisher.  Occupants called 9-1-1 and our fire dispatcher advised them to evacuate. 

A Fire Investigator was requested and conducted a cause and origin scene examination.  Fire originated in the bathroom and spread into the remainder of the unit.  Fire is still under investigation and no determination has been established yet.  Damage is estimated at $325,000.  Two units were deemed not habitable from the effects of the fire. 

Occupants who were displaced are safely re-housed.  No injuries to firefighters or residents occurred as a result of this fire.