SASKATOON – The Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) welcomed its second recruitment class of 2023 at a private graduation ceremony Friday afternoon.
Seven new firefighter-paramedics were recognized for successfully completing SFD's four-week orientation training and introduced as new members of the fire service. Each recruit was presented with their badge and battalion assignment.
“We are excited to welcome these seven firefighter-paramedics to the fire service and we look forward to their continued success at SFD," said Saskatoon Fire Department Chief Morgan Hackl.
All seven firefighter-paramedics worked under the guidance of SFD’s Staff Development and Safety team to complete training in firefighting, technical rescue, hazardous material mitigation and community relations.
The new recruits are also certified to the level of Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) and are licensed through the Saskatchewan College of Paramedics. Their extensive training and experience have prepared them for operating effectively in high-hazard emergency scenes.
“The safety of our firefighters is of utmost importance at SFD and the key to safe and efficient performance is through comprehensive training”, said Anthony Tataryn, Assistant Chief of Staff Development and Safety.
“Our four-week orientation training involves not only reviewing recruits' firefighter and paramedic skills but also challenging their skill sets beyond basic drills. Our aim is to further develop their competencies and expose them to a broad spectrum of emergency scenarios.
"SFD's all-hazard emergency response expands beyond fighting fires. Our fire service responds to over 21,000 incidents each year and the type of response can range from routine medical calls to complex technical rescues or hazardous material incidents, demonstrating the diverse scope of emergencies our firefighters face. It’s important that we find individuals who are not only committed to serving our community but are also qualified in a variety of skill sets."
The new firefighter-paramedics will start their first shifts beginning Oct. 2.
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