In the heart of Saskatoon, a city grappling with a surge in homelessness and addiction, the fire department has become an unexpected first responder to a growing crisis. The numbers paint a stark picture: a near doubling of overdose calls and a more than twofold increase in encampment fires in 2025. This shift in the department's workload has sparked a critical conversation about the evolving nature of emergency services and the strain it places on frontline workers.
The Strain on Saskatoon's Firefighters
The year 2025 saw Saskatoon's firefighters respond to an unprecedented number of overdoses, with a staggering 2,512 calls, nearly seven per day on average. This surge, coupled with a rise in encampment fires and other complex social issues, has taken a toll on the department's resources and the well-being of its members. Jayden Poirier, an executive member of the firefighters' union, highlights the impact on their core services:
"When we're busy doing these overdoses on repeat, it takes away from what we would normally consider our core services."
This statement reflects a broader challenge faced by emergency services across North America as they adapt to the evolving needs of their communities. The traditional role of firefighters is expanding to include medical emergencies and social interventions, blurring the lines between different emergency response teams.
The Impact on Fire Inspections and Investigations
The increased demand for emergency responses has had a ripple effect on other critical services provided by the fire department. The number of fire inspections dropped dramatically, from 2,709 in 2021 to 1,831 in 2025. This decrease in proactive fire safety measures is a concern, especially given the rise in encampment fires. The department conducted 202 fire investigations in 2025, a number that pales in comparison to the 1,859 general encampment responses, highlighting the shift in focus towards reactive rather than preventive measures.
A Broader Trend: Paramedic Burnout
Saskatoon's fire department is not alone in facing these challenges. The Paramedic Services Chiefs of Saskatchewan met to discuss similar issues, with Steve Skoworodko, past president of the organization, noting a doubling of paramedic calls in the last decade and a significant number of unfilled vacancies. Paramedics, like firefighters, are experiencing burnout, with some leaving for more lucrative jobs, such as firefighting. This trend underscores the broader strain on emergency services and the need for a comprehensive approach to address these issues.
Conclusion: Adapting to the New Normal
The surge in overdose calls and encampment fires in Saskatoon is a symptom of a larger societal issue. As Jayden Poirier suggests, perhaps this is the new normal, and emergency services need to adapt their core values and services accordingly. This adaptation requires a collaborative effort, involving not just emergency responders but also policymakers, community organizations, and healthcare providers. By working together, we can better address the complex social issues that are placing such a strain on our emergency services and find more effective solutions.
