Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
Saskatoon News Releases
Saskatoon Fire Department to break ground for new fire station
April 21, 2022 - 1:30 pm
Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) will be breaking ground for a state-of-the-art fire station along Preston Avenue, near 108th Street. The new station will replace the 56-year-old Fire Station No. 5 currently located on Central Avenue in Sutherland.
The relocation comes as a result of a review of SFD’s operations in 2014 that led to the development of a new service model to improve the fire service’s travel times across the city. The model aims to ensure SFD’s delivery of services is done in the most effective and efficient way possible as the City keeps an eye on the future and how to provide emergency response service to a city of half a million residents.
“The new location was selected with the aim of increasing both safety and efficiency,” says Fire Chief Morgan Hackl. "Computer-generated mapping revealed that relocating Station No. 5 closer to the intersection of College Drive and Preston Avenue will put our fire service in a better position to meet the four-minute travel time set out by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and better utilize resources.”
With the relocation of Station No. 3 in 2018 and now Station No. 5, Hackl says a tenth fire station once earmarked for Stonebridge won’t be necessary – saving the City $6 million in construction costs and $3 million each year in operating costs.
Once fully commissioned, the 10,000 square foot (930 square metre), two-storey fire station will be equipped with two bays that will house one operational fire engine and another two reserve apparatus. The station will be staffed with a fire crew consisting of up to two firefighter-paramedics, two firefighters and one officer, 24 hours per day. An additional two Fire Inspectors will also be present during daytime hours.
Another goal of the new Station No. 5 is to strengthen neighbourhood amenities for the wider community.
“As the city grows, our Fire Department has done important work to reorganize our fire stations,” says Mayor Charlie Clark. “This helps ensure we can keep our growing neighbourhoods protected in a way that efficiently uses our resources over the long term. This new Fire Station is an example of that. The University has been a great partner in getting this built and we continue to work closely with the University community. This is a great day.”
The building will be furnished with a shared cultural space intended for SFD initiatives, civic departments and the University of Saskatchewan. When available, the shared space will be open to public bookings for community groups.
“We are proud to continue to work in partnership with the City of Saskatoon on a wide variety of projects that help to serve and to give back to the vibrant community that we are all a part of,” says University of Saskatchewan President Peter Stoicheff. “The establishment of this new fire station is the latest development in the successful co-operation and collaboration between the city and the university and reinforces our commitment to community, including our Indigenous partners and friends. As we celebrate this important step forward for the city, it is important to recognize that this fire station will be located on Treaty 6 territory and the Homeland of the Métis.”
The new station will be operational by the summer of 2023, at which time the current station on Central Avenue will be decommissioned.
For more information, visit saskatoon.ca/FireStation5.
Update for structure fire in the 300 Block of Avenue Q South
April 21, 2022 - 10:38 am
The fire investigation has concluded and the cause of the fire was determined to be suspicious. Damage is estimated to the structure at $275,000. The investigation has been turned over to our partners at the Saskatoon Police Service for their follow up. If anyone has information relating to this fire, information can be provided to the Police at 306-975-8300.
Update for Structure Fire - 400 Block Avenue E South
April 21, 2022 - 10:31 am
The Fire Investigation has concluded for the fire that occurred in the 400 Block of Avenue E South. Cause of the fire was determined to be accidental from improper disposal of smoldering incense in a waste basket. Fire originated in a 3rd floor bedroom and damage is estimated to be $5000.
The Saskatoon Fire Department would like to provide a friendly reminder to "wet" smoldering material such as matches, incense, cigarettes or any other smoldering material prior to disposal.
Structure Fire - 300 Block Avenue Q South
April 20, 2022 - 11:27 pm
The Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a report of flames coming from a window of a structure in the 300 Block of Avenue Q South on April 20, 2022 at 10:24 p.m. Dispatched to the reported fire were three fire engines, one ladder truck, one rescue unit and the Battalion Chief. First arriving crew reported flames showing from a fourplex structure fully involved in fire. An exterior attack on the fire was initiated by the fire crews. All incoming fire crews were assigned tactical duties. The side of the fourplex where fire is located had a boarded door and window. Fire crews breached the boarded window in order to access visible flames behind the board. Entrance to the fire through the boarded door was made at 10:37 p.m. Interior attack on the fire was initiated immediately at this point. Fire crews identified multiple broken windows in the structure during their extinguishment with heavy smoke coming. At 10:45 p.m. smoke was showing from the attic. At 10:52 p.m., consideration by the incident commander was that the structure was starting to soften. All four suites were being completed of a search by fire crews for occupants. This fire was brought under control at 11:09 p.m. No structural collapse occurred during this fire.
Fire Investigator was dispatched and responded from previous fire on Ave E South.
Fire crews remain on the scene at this time to check there are no fire extensions or hot spots at this time. No injuries to civilians or firefighters are reported at this time.
An update to cause, origin and damage estimate will be provided as soon as practical.
Structure Fire - 400 Block Avenue E South
April 20, 2022 - 10:08 pm
At 9:14 p.m. on April 20, 2022, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a report of a fire inside a structure. Dispatched to the scene were three fire engines, one ladder truck, one rescue unit and the Battalion Chief. On arrival at 9:18 p.m., the first arriving fire crew reported no visible signs of fire from the exterior. Upon entering the structure, the fire crews found a small fire on the third floor of the structure. Using a pump tank with a hose line as a back up, they extinguished the fire using the water pump tank and not the hose line. Fire crews searched the home for fire extension and occupants. Two occupants had evacuated prior to our fire crew arrival. No other fires or fire extension were found from the original small fire on the third floor. All occupants had evacuated. A Fire Investigator was dispatched to the scene. Fire crews ventilated the home of smoke at 9:27 p.m.
Fire crews are returning to their respective stations and packing up equipment while preparing to turn the fire scene over to the Fire Investigator who is still enroute. An update for the cause, origin and damage estimate will be released as soon as practical.
No injuries to firefighters or civilians occurred as a result of this fire.