Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

Just after  8:00 p.m.  on Tuesday March 17, 2020, The Saskatoon Fire Department received numerous 9-1-1 calls reporting a garge fire in the alley of the 1300 block 20th ST W.  The first arriving engine was previously dispatched to a dumpster fire in the 1400 block of 20th ST W when they saw the garge fire and responded to the structure fire. Two more engines, 1 rescue, one ladder truck and a battalion chief all responded to the scene, a second engine was then dispatched to the original dumpster fire.  Crews arrived to find a fire between two seperate garages which had caused flames to spread to both structures.  Fire crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire of one garge and complete a search of it, the second garge had flames already into the attic and interior of the structure.  Power lines were also downed by the fire and continued to arc causing firefighters to proceed with extreme caution.

Crews had the fire under control and had completed searches in both garages in approximately 40 minutes. A fire investigator was called to the scene.

There were no injuries reported at this incident and the cause is under investigation.

On March 12, 2020 at approximately 4:00 p.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department in consultation with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, migrated our four firefighters from a self-isolation state to self-monitoring. Self- monitoring is required for 14 days after any risk of exposure.  There are no restrictions on attending work or schools but an individual must avoid crowded spaces and vulnerable people.  In addition, individuals must watch for new symptoms and be continuously tracking their body temperature. 

The Saskatoon Fire Department had been in close communication with the four staff members who had self-isolated inside Fire Station No. 4 over an 18-hour period. The decision to remain in the station was jointly agreed upon by the staff members involved and Fire Department management. During this time, the fire station was closed to outside access and contingency plans were activated to maintain response coverage from a secondary location in the district.

The Saskatoon Fire Department continues to assess the COVID-19 pandemic through the guidance of the Emergency Management Organization and through the leadership of the Saskatchewan Health Authority. As a front-line emergency service, we are committed to a high level of planning and preparedness to maintain continued response in proudly serving the residents and visitors of Saskatoon. 

The four staff members who were in isolation returned to duty for the start of their next scheduled shifts and the fire station has been placed back into service.

Factual and up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Saskatchewan can be found at www.saskatchewan.ca/coronavirus.

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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.

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.

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!

At 22:20, March 7^th, 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.

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:

• 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

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.

In an emergency, call 911 immediately.

For more information regarding Bylaw No. 8463, The Sidewalk Clearing Bylaw, visit www.saskatoon.ca/bylaws.

On March 2, 2020 at approximately 4:47 pm, The Saskatoon Fire Department received a call informing dispatchers of a male patient in distress in the Sutherland dog park on the river bank.  One engine company, one rescue company and a battalion chief responded to the scene.  Crews were met in the parking lot by the caller and directed to the area where the patient was located.  Due to the location of the patient and the steep and slippery conditions, the crews had to set up a low angle technical rope rescue system to gain access to and safely remove the patient from the river bank.  Once the patient was brought to level ground the fire department transferred the patient to Medavie services for further assessment and transport.

There were no injuries at this incident.

The Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call at 8:22 pm on February 27, 2020 reporting smoke and fire in a townhouse on Fairbrother Crescent.  Dispatched to the scene were 3 Engines, a Ladder, a Rescue, a Battalion Chief and a Fire Investigator.  Upon arrival  firefighters confirmed three occupants were outside.  The Incident Command directed firefighters to advance hose lines into the structure and within a few minutes had the fire under control.  

The fire investigation has determined the origin to be attributed to a failure with the dishwasher in the main floor kitchen.  Smoke damage is estimated to have cause $25,000.00 damage.

At approximately 9:42 a.m. on February 25, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department and the Emergency Management Organization responded to a mail processing facility, located at 817 51st Street East, for reports of a suspicious package leaking its contents. 

One fire engine, one haz-mat unit, one decontamination unit, one mobile command unit, and multiple support staff responded to the scene.

Fire dispatchers advised all occupants that were inside of the facility to shelter in place until the arrival of fire crews. Upon arrival of the first responding fire crew, an evacuation of the facility was performed; one individual was medically assessed and placed into isolation for having direct exposure to the contents of the package. 

Haz-mat technicians made entry to the facility to obtain shipment information and perform tests to identify the contents of the package.

The contents of the package were identified as approximately one quart of a non-hazardous liquid fertilizer that is used in the rooting and growth of plants; there is no risk to public safety. 

The individual that had been placed in isolation was released without the need of further medical evaluation. The leaking package was contained and removed from the facility for disposal.

The Saskatoon Fire Department and the Emergency Management Organization have concluded on scene and the facility has been turned back over to management.