Submitted by Will Arscott - April 19th, 2016

 

APRIL 18th MEETING RECAP - REGULAR MEETING AT THE BESSBOROUGH - Speaker: Chief Morgan Hackl speaking on the Saskatoon Fire Department.

 

The meeting was presided by President Bev Dubois

Greeter - Unknown

Cashier - Wayne McGillivray

SET-UP - Also Wayne McGillivray

Visitors and Guests - Unknown

 

O Canada was led by Wayne McGillivray (should get lunch for free for doing triple duty)

Grace - John Davies - Recognized the victims of earth quakes in two different parts of the world and was thankful that we are not subject to that danger. Reminded Rotarians of our commitment of service to others through such things as Shelterbox and our international commitments in general.

 

Visitors and Guests - President Bev

Wayne Palmer prospective member and guest of Jim Weber.

Morgan Hackl our speaker to be introduced later.

 

 

- President Bev determined there had been no email sent out to those with responsibilities in today’s meeting. Things got done but it was a little chaotic. Bev will talk to Adriana V and try to get the notice sent out for next and subsequent weeks.

 

- Adventures in Technology is shaping up well but we still need one driver for week of 24^th April. Driving is not an onerous job and only requires several shorter services in the day. If you can help Ron Loepky’s email was in last Adventures in Technology email or else contact President Bev. On April 24^th the students attending will be at our meeting so a larger meeting room will be arranged with the Bessborough.

 

- Jack reminded us again of the BS&S (Badge Shield and Star) Dinner this Thursday. He was sure we were all aware as he had accosted us on our arrival and most members had their tickets. Things are shaping up well and something like 430 tickets are sold to date. It should be a good event. Thanks to Jack and his committee for all their effort!

 

 

- Naturally there were fines for anyone unable to attend the dinner.

 

- fined any members not greeting our prospective new member (Wayne Palmer). People sitting at his table were exempt.

 

- Vic D was fined for not talking loud enough that his spouse could hear him.

 

- The Sergeant enquired as to Mike LeC’s health. Mike indicated he is doing much better and put in a happy dollar.

 

- The Sergeant asked Mark G for the latest from the world of sports but Mark had to pay a sad dollar as there was nothing to report. Still far too many [American based] hockey teams to generate any real interest.

 

- There was a discussion of the confusion over who was to be Sergeant. They both needed to pay fines Steve W for not being assertive enough and Dave S for being too aggressive.

 

 

- Jim Weber put in Happy dollar(s) for his return to health after a difficult time. He was happy to be back. Sad that so few replied to his email about our new prospect. But with the exceptional quality of the people that Jim recommends to the club what possible reason would there be for anyone to respond to his email?

 

- Wayne S put in a happy dollar for looking after his granddaughter for four days. It was great but tiring.

 

- Will A put in two happy dollars for two wonderful weeks in Mexico. He also put in a sad dollar for taking his cell-phone swimming in the pool.

 

 

GUEST SPEAKER - Morgan Hackl the Chief of the Saskatoon Fire Service

 

Morgan was introduced by President Bev who knew him as the assistant chief when she served on Council. She indicated that Morgan is a person she respects and is also a great family man with a balance in his life and family commitments.

 

Chief Hackl began by paying a one dollar fine for not sending the biography that had been requested. He told the club how much he and his department value the Badge Shield and Star Dinner. He is looking forward to seeing all of us again on Thursday night. He particularly believes that the recognition that each department gives to a community member is valuable. This year the Fire Service recipient will be Kim Sutherland who is a burn survivor who has overcome much physical and mental hardship.

 

Morgan was born in Saskatoon and was an eastsider graduating from Holy Cross Collegiate. He studied mathematics at the U of S and Calgary but entered the fire service short of finishing his degree in Calgary. He has served is Saskatoon his whole career.

 

The Saskatoon Fire Service presently employs 334 people. They are divided in three main groups. There are about 280 firefighters assigned to nine halls. This is the obvious and more exhilarating part of the service. The other groups are also very important. The other sections are prevention services and education services. He is always reminding his people that these divisions save lives as surely as the firefighters.

 

The prevention department does traditional fire inspections for fire safety but also broad-based property inspections covering such things as tidiness, tall grass and weeds and graffiti. Ultimately this is a multi-agency endeavour involving police and social services. The program is part of SCAN - Safer Communities And Neighbourhoods. Often when a property is badly neglected or untidy there are mental health issues involved. Part of the program is to bring resources to help in these areas where they are needed. They also do inspections of property before it is rented to make sure that they meet habitation standards. Landlords can voluntarily ask to have their properties inspected.

 

On the education side the Fire Service is involved in quite a range of partnerships with agencies across the city. For example the department has a good relationship with both school boards and also with groups representing older adults. One program that began last year is a fire cadet program. It started with a small number of students from the inner city high schools who undertake an eight week program with the fire department. The purpose is not so much to find future firefighters but to raise the students self-image. This is done by developing leadership, teamwork and self-confidence. Success can be seen just in the increase in school attendance of the students involved. Next year the program will involve 24 students.

 

One test of the success of the youth programs is shown in a decreasing number of arson fires in the city. Many arson fires are not serious and involve fences and other non-residential structures. But it is reassuring to see rates drop.

 

About 40% of the Service’s call volume involves medical issues. This makes the Fire Service the largest provider of pre-hospital medical care. The training level of the medical techs is always growing. The Service is now able to do all their own immunizations and may take on doing immunizations for all the civic employees. This required additional specialized training in clinic settings.

 

The Service does car-seat inspections in their stations. This has become a service associated with fire departments all through Canada and the United States.

 

The Fire Service also has a strong relationship with the Correctional Centre and the Urban Work Camp. The inmates work to clean-up city areas such as right of ways and rail lines. This can involve snow shovelling (ramps for wheelchairs), garbage clean-up and weed clearing. This program also involves Youth Works which is a program for younger offenders. The Service is also partnering with STR8UP to provide work opportunities for ex-gang members. The Chief would like to see more such partnerships in the future.

 

The Service undertakes deployment analysis on an ongoing basis. There are nine fire halls. In part they are located where they are because they were built in the past. The Service undertakes sophisticated mapping to test travel times to all addresses. The aim is to reach all addresses withing 4 minutes 90% of the time. Currently the department is at about 83%.

 

 

Chief Hackl also took questions from our members:

 

One question on all our minds and one the Chief had intended to address involved the railway crossings in Saskatoon. He indicated there is an ongoing working group on railway issues involving all the stakeholders including the two railways. The Service has a good relationship with both railways. Some practical steps have been taken. For example the main firehall knows when Idylwyld is blocked at 24^th street and a truck will be dispatched from another hall. The longer term issue is the future of rail within the city. Over time lines will either be removed or graded crossings will need to be constructed at considerable cost.

 

Another question involved hazardous materials travelling by train through our city. Chief Hackl confirmed this does happen. The city receives regular manifests from the railways on what is being transported. City managers have an app on their phones allowing them to be quickly updated on the materials that may be carried on a specific train.

 

Chief Hackl was thanked by President Bev. She pointed out that the work the of Fire Service is very diverse.

 

 

 

 

Next Meetings:

 

April 25th: John Lagimodiere: ABORIGINAL 101

(Adventures om Technology Students Attend)

 

May 2nd Brent Penner: DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP