Latest news with #Hardlotte
Ottawa Citizen
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Ottawa Citizen
Saskatchewan looks to expedite wage payments in hopes of recruiting more firefighters
As crews continue to battle wildfires in northern Saskatchewan amid a provincial state of emergency, the government is making efforts to speed up compensation for those who offer to pitch in. Article content Specifically, the province is looking to address this issue for Type 3 firefighters in hopes that it will increase registration from eligible candidates. Article content Article content The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) website states: 'Type 3 crews are made up of qualified firefighters hired on an emergency basis. These crews are used to support Type 1 and Type 2 crews working on sustained action wildfires and are normally used on a fire line that is under control or in the mop-up stage, or low in complexity and expected fire behaviour.' Article content Article content Type 1 firefighters 'typically perform initial and sustained attacks on wildland fires,' according to the SPSA. Type 2 firefighters are First Nations and northern community crews who 'provide firefighting and response services, as needed, and work on projects within their home communities in times of low fire danger.' Article content Article content The effort to reduce payment delays for Type 3 firefighters was requested by Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte of the Prince Albert Grand Council. Article content 'It's not like before. When you got out of the fire, you got a paycheque right there,' Hardlotte said in a May 29 interview, noting he'd spoken with Premier Scott Moe about the issue. Article content The government responded to a Leader-Post inquiry about the grand chief's comments, noting via email that '(SPSA) President and Fire Commissioner Marlo Pritchard is actively engaging in conversations with Grand Chief Hardlotte as well as others on how best to address this concern.' Article content Article content 'The SPSA is also working internally to expedite the payment process with the hope that it will increase eligible Type III Firefighters to register for active firefighter duty,' the email adds. Article content Article content In addition, the government sent a copy of a May 29 letter by Deputy Premier Jim Reiter to the federal ministers of finance, Crown-Indigenous relations, and Indigenous services. Article content 'Through discussions with the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC), we have been told there are a number of residents who reside on their member First Nations who are willing to assist with firefighting,' the letter states. Article content It also requests — on behalf of the PAGC — that the federal government ensure any of these people who are currently receiving federal income assistance not have their benefits reduced because of firefighting wages.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
'This is our home': P.A. grand chief says Sask. wildfire situation is dire, but northern people are ready to fight
PRINCE ALBERT — As Brian Hardlotte looked out across the North Saskatchewan River, the air was clear and the breeze was mild. But it's been smoke, wind and fire that have preoccupied the mind of the grand chief of the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) as of late. For many in Saskatchewan's north, including some of the member First Nations under the council, the wildfire situation is dire, Hardlotte says. 'The conditions this spring with no rainfall, not too much snow, and the high winds — the high winds are a big factor when it comes to drying the forest and the trees,' he said on Thursday night. 'We're fighting against, I guess, climate change, I can say.' All of these environmental factors have led to the fires menacing northern Saskatchewan, causing the evacuations of thousands, putting others on notice and straining the resources available to stop the burns. When Hardlotte looks to the sky, it's the long-term forecast he wonders about, and whether it will help or hinder efforts to control the fires. He says he was glad to see Saskatchewan announce a state of emergency earlier on Thursday afternoon. Now, he hopes that more supports will be available, not only to fight the fires, but to take care of the people displaced by them — wherever they may be taken in. Packing up and fleeing from flames is nothing new for many northerners. 'It's something that we've been dealing with for years,' Hardlotte says. Nonetheless, it's traumatizing. 'Especially for elders, to be displaced from their homes,' he says. 'It's really something, you know, coming into the cities. They're not used to the cities.' He's thankful for partnerships, including with organizations like Red Cross, and with the First Nations themselves, whose staff members are being with those evacuated, in the centres and the hotels where they land. Even something like food can be a challenge for those displaced, he says, noting efforts have often been made to provide traditional food to displaced people, offering them a familiar taste in an extremely trying situation. He commends the cities and smaller centres opening their communities to those displaced. 'It's a team effort.' Saskatchewan declares state of emergency due to raging northern wildfires Saskatchewan wildfire situation worsens as mandatory evacuation ordered for Pelican Narrows 'Cried my eyes out': Northern Saskatchewan communities evacuated as wildfires burn Hardlotte notes that the province has instituted a Saskatchewan-wide fire ban — something he hopes people take seriously. 'Keep a watch out,' he says, asking that all communities with firefighting equipment have it ready to go. He notes that space to house evacuees is limited and preventing further evacuation, if possible, is top of mind for him. 'The resources are really depleted in the whole province. That's when the communities can come together and be prepared.' Hardlotte knows what it takes to fight fires. He's been on the frontlines. When he thinks back decades, he remembers folks coming from all around northern Saskatchewan, and even some from down south, to pitch in. Firefighting wasn't their full-time gig, but they were ready to go to work. They still are, he says. He welcomes crews coming from elsewhere while noting that in years past, he's seen those from the area fight fire with a special sense of purpose. 'This is our home. These are our traplines. This is our forest. These are our animals that we rely on. We were proud to be out there,' he says. 'We can be like that again.' bharder@ The Regina Leader-Post has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe. With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe.
