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CBC
14-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Sask. firefighters say risks of burning derelict buildings for training outweigh benefits
Firefighters in Saskatchewan say new government legislation allowing for the burning of derelict buildings in rural areas presents an unnecessary risk. The Sask. Party government says Bill 21 — which passed third reading on Tuesday — will create a pilot program allowing rural municipalities (RMs) to safely dispose of buildings that are no longer wanted, while providing training opportunities for volunteer firefighters. Tyler Packham, president of Regina Professional Fire Fighters Local 181, said he was "astonished" that the government passed the legislation. Live-fire training is often discouraged because it can pose significant health and safety risks to firefighters, and dangers to the environment, Packham said. Buildings, especially older buildings, can contain asbestos, lead-based paint or other toxic materials, Packham said. "Going into a burning house that you don't know what's in it, just to get a little bit of training, it is not a good value," Packham said. Mike Kwasnica, president of the Saskatchewan Association of Fire Chiefs, and Louis Cherpin, president of the Saskatchewan Volunteer Fire Fighters Association, echoed Packham's concerns in statements. Cherpin said the government should consider alternative, safer methods to deal with building removal, instead of exposing firefighters to unnecessary risks. "Government has been advocating to keep our firefighters safe from unnecessary exposure to cancer causing toxins, and this proposed legislation flies in the face of that," Cherpin wrote. Kwasnica said trainees participate in live burns as part of their education, but only under strict conditions. The structure must be sound, with no dangerous materials inside, and crews must wear protective equipment, he said. "Firefighters are trained to control and suppress fire — not to facilitate it as a demolition method," Kwasnica said in a statement. 'A voluntary program': minister Environment Minister Travis Keisig said the amendments to the province's Construction Codes Act came after discussions with the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) and the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM). SARM has called for funding to help clean up the increasing number of derelict and abandoned buildings in the province. "Many [RMs] struggle with limited funds, legal powers, and technical know-how to effectively manage derelict buildings in a timely manner. Support from the provincial government could ease this challenge," SARM wrote in a news release on Feb. 19. SARM highlighted grants as a method for the province address the problem. Instead, the province introduced Bill 21 in April. SARM has said it supports the changes. On Tuesday, Keisig defended the legislation in the face of criticism by the Opposition NDP and firefighters. "This is a voluntary program. There's going to be some communities and some volunteer fire chiefs that really want to have this opportunity to provide this training scenario, and there's going to be some that have no interest and that's fine," Keisig said. "This isn't government telling people that you have to do this." Keiseg repeatedly said the details of the pilot program, such as what types of buildings can be burned and the protocols that will have to be followed, are still being worked out. It will only apply to rural areas, as volunteer firefighters need training opportunities, he said. Professional firefighters in urban areas have their own funding model that allows for more consistent training, Keiseg said. The environment minister said he'll speak with firefighters and municipalities over the next few months with the goal of having the project rolled out by November. That's not good enough for Packham.
Globe and Mail
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Saskatchewan firefighter groups concerned over building burn legislation
Saskatchewan's legislature has passed a bill that opens the door for local governments to order firefighters to burn down derelict buildings, a move firefighters say they oppose. Bill 21, the Construction Codes (Derelict Buildings) Amendment Act, received royal assent Tuesday. The legislation lays out the framework for a pilot project where volunteer firefighters conduct burns on municipal-owned buildings as part of training exercises. Mike Kwasnica, president of the Saskatchewan Association of Fire Chiefs, said live burns could pose significant health and safety risks, as many of these buildings contain asbestos, lead-based paint and other toxic materials. 'Exposure to these substances can have long-term health effects on firefighters and residents nearby,' he said. 'Firefighters are trained to control and suppress fire, not to facilitate it as a demolition method.' Louis Cherpin, president of the Saskatchewan Volunteer Firefighters Association, said the provincial government should reconsider the legislation and consult with firefighters. 'Exposing our members to danger just to facilitate a demolition does not achieve this,' he said. 'We recommend that alternative, safer methods of building removal be prioritized, methods that comply with environmental standards and workplace safety regulations.' Tyler Packham, the president of the Regina Professional Firefighters Local 181, said live burns are hard on the environment. 'I'm kind of astonished [the government passed this],' he said. 'I would have thought that if it got upon the desk [of the Environment Ministry], they would actually squash it just because of the environmental concerns itself.' Packham added firefighters are there to save properties and lives, not stand by and watch a building burn. 'I only see this as a way for some people to save a little bit of money of getting rid of a building with zero consultation with firefighters,' he said. Environment Minister Travis Keisig said the province is still working out the details on the pilot project, including what types of buildings can be burned and the protocols. He said he will speak with firefighters and municipalities over the next few months and he plans to have the project rolled out by November. 'This is a voluntary program. There's going to be some communities and some volunteer fire chiefs that really want to have this opportunity to provide this training scenario, and there's going to be some that have no interest and that's fine,' Keisig said. 'This isn't government telling people that you have to do this.' Opposition NDP environment critic Jared Clarke said there are better ways to get rid of derelict buildings in small communities, including waiving landfill fees and compensating municipalities for proper removal. 'We just don't think that burning them and asking firefighters to be at the forefront of that is the appropriate response,' Clarke said. The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities has said it supports the changes, as it would help their communities remove problematic buildings. Firefighters are at higher risk of developing cancer because of the carcinogens in smoke and other chemicals they are exposed to when suppressing fires. Kwasnica said trainees participate in live burns as part of their education but it's done under strict conditions. The structure must be sound with no dangerous materials inside and crews must wear protective equipment, he said.
