Since 2018, on average the increase in calls to the Saskatoon Fire Department each year has been around ten per cent, which means in five years there has been a 50 per cent increase. That, from Fire Chief Morgan Hackl, who estimates there will be about 900 overdose calls this year. That’s three times higher than a few years ago.

The overall call volume has never been above 20,000 incidents before, but as of mid-December, it was already above 21,000. However, not everything is rising. Hackl says, “The number of structure fires, the number of investigated fires is actually trending down, and we believe that’s because of the proactive work we have been doing related to vacant and boarded properties.”  Investigated fires are down about 14 per cent.

Coming up in 2023, Hackl says the Fire Department will once again be reporting to City Council about the need for two West end fire stations. Hackl explains that Station #1 on Idylwyld and #2 on Diefenbaker accounts for 54 per cent of the overall call volume, so the goal is to improve the service model on the West side.
The Fire Department will be asking Council to commit to funding so construction can begin in 2024.

Fire crews with the Saskatoon Fire Department, along with Warman, Martensville and the RM of Corman Park fire crews, will be able to train at their new outdoor regional training facility next summer.  Saskatoon Fire Chief Morgan Hackl says construction began this past fall.

Phase two will be an indoor training facility on site so training can continue 365 days a year. The facility is about a kilometre north of Saskatoon on 40 acres of land, which will include indoor and outdoor training space when it’s done.

Hackl says this regional facility has been a vision for over thirty years and is now being realized through a commitment to partnerships and community safety.
Police and other emergency responders will also be able to train at this facility.