Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

At 11:25 pm, December 25^th a tenant returned home to find two small fires in his house. He alerted the Saskatoon Fire Department and indicated that one of the other tenants was unaccounted for. Three Engines, one Ladder Truck, one Rescue Unit, and one Battalion Chief were dispatched and arrived on scene in approximately 4 minutes.

The first arriving crew noted smoke coming from a side door and initiated an interior attack, a second crew was directed to back them up and a third to begin a search. Fire crews used a thermal imaging camera to perform searches of each room in the house, confirming there to be no further extension of the fire, as well as no remaining occupants or pets. Ventilation was conducted to clear the house of smoke and carbon monoxide. The fire was controlled within 30 minutes of the first arriving fire crew.

Upon exiting the house, fire crews performed a gross decontamination of their gear to minimize the effect of toxins. 

Utilities were disconnected for safety of Firefighters and utility technicians were called to the scene to re-establish services.

A Fire and Police Investigators are on scene to determine the cause. A damage estimate has not been given and there were no reported injuries due to this incident.

The holidays are a time of celebration and cheer; with traditions and gatherings filling the homes of many, the Saskatoon Fire Department reminds residents to be mindful of fire safety in and around their homes when decking the halls.

Candles:

Many people choose to use candles year-round; however, the holiday season tends to bring an increase in the number of households lighting candles as part of their holiday tradition or as a decorative addition to their home. Whatever the purpose, always be sure to put the candle out when you are not around to enjoy it. Unattended candles have the potential to make your holiday not so merry and bright. Take the time to consider where you are placing your candle and what combustible materials may be around. Additionally, battery-powered candles can provide a realistic glow while reducing the risk of a fire in your home. 

Cooking:

Holiday meals and seasonal baking are must-haves each year; however, the Saskatoon Fire Department reminds the head-chefs, top bakers, and those aspiring to be to remain present while cooking and/or baking this holiday season. Stay in the kitchen, focused and alert on your task, to prevent unintentionally inviting the Saskatoon Fire Department to your home for a burnt offering this holiday season. For meals that may take additional time to cook and/or prepare, the use of a timer can act as a reminder in monitoring your meal.

The Saskatoon Fire Department wishes all a safe holiday season; from our halls to yours, happy holidays!

In an emergency, call 911 immediately.

At 01:17 this morning, Saskatoon Fire Department received reports of flames showing from a two-story house on the 1600 Block of Avenue C North. Three Engines, one Ladder Truck, one Rescue Unit, and one Battalion Chief responded. The first Engine arrived on scene in three and one-half minutes.

Flames were on the exterior, second level, rear of the home. The house was boarded up and appeared vacant. The crew laid an attack hose line and immediately extinguished the flames, preventing further fire extension to the interior. Once the fire was extinguished, the initial crew now backed up by firefighters with a second hose line, entered the structure to verify there were no occupants inside and extinguish any hotspots inside the walls and ceiling.

Utilities had to be disconnected for safety of Firefighters due to an arcing power line at the rear of the house. Saskatoon Light and Power were on scene very quickly to assist with de-energizing and disconnecting the line. 

A Fire Investigator is on scene with Police to determine the cause. A damage estimate has not been given and there were no reported injuries due to this incident.

Just before lunch, at 11:34, Saskatoon Fire Department responded to a three vehicle collision at 8th Street and Cumberland Avenue. Two Engines and one Rescue Unit responded.

The first Engine arrived on scene in less than four minutes. The crew ensured a safe work area due to high traffic flowing by the scene. As soon as it was verified there were not any trapped or severely injured occupants, the second Engine and Rescue Unit downgraded their response while enroute, so traffic flow was not unnecessarily disrupted.

Fire crews ensured there were no hazards to occupants or emergency workers on scene, then cleaned up any remaining debris and leaking fluids.

Saskatoon Fire Department would like to remind people to continue to drive safely and consider increased caution when passing emergency workers.

Happy Holiday Season to All!

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.

At Approximately 12:15, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a report of a garage fire. Four Engine Companies, one Ladder Company and one Battalion chief responded.

On arrival, the detached garage was fully involved.

The fire was brought under control in approximately 20 min. Crews then checked for extention to the home and worked on remaining hot spots.

A Fire Investigator was called to the scene. A cause and damage estimate has not yet been given. There were no reported injuries