Fire Chief with the Saskatoon Fire Department says a regional training facility has been a vision for the fire department for more than three decades, and today (Wed) it became a reality. There was a ceremonial ground breaking on land owned by the Fire Department about a kilometre north of Saskatoon in the RM of Corman Park. It’s a regional training facility because Warman, Martensville and the RM of Corman Park are also involved.
Morgan Hackl, Chief of the Saskatoon Fire Department, says the regional facility has been a vision for over three decades, and is now being realized through a commitment to partnerships and community safety. All firefighters from the region will be able to train at the site, and it goes beyond just firefighting skills. Police and other emergency responders will also be able to train there. Some of the training on the 40 acre site will include confined space, technical and high angle rescues, hazardous materials, rail, and emergency management training, as well as paramedic training. Hackl notes that fire services face many challenges these days like fast burning modern construction, densification in neighbourhoods and the need to maintain a complex set of skills.
Saskatoon’s Mayor, Charlie Clark, doesn’t think this partnership would have been possible a decade ago, given the nature of the relationships in the region. He explains that in the past, it may have felt threatening to cooperate on a project like this because municipalities would hold their cards close to their chest, but he notes the Planning For Growth process has been fundamental in helping them all realize how they are better together, rather than facing things individually.
Warman’s Mayor, Greg Philipchuk, says they have had agreements with neighbouring communities in the past, but not to this extent. He suggests it has evolved from each looking at their own interests, to now looking at what the region needs, with a real plan for how the land will be utilitized and different facilities will be utilized together.
Chief Hackl expects Phase 1 will be complete by next spring, and any indoor training opportunities would come in Phase 2. He says having the new facility could mean the ability to certify firefighter skills for staff and to explore pre-employment training and education for potential candidates. That means future firefighters could receive their pre-employment certifications in Saskatchewan.
