After a challenging year, the Saskatoon Fire Department is looking to expand its reach in 2026.

Director of Emergency Management Pamela Goulden McLeod says there are two new stations coming online next year: stations 10 and 11.

“That will really help support our work in those areas of the city and help ensure that we meet the response times that we are striving to.”

She admits that several obstacles were brought before the SFD this year, such as the requirement of hosting 8000 wildfire evacuees and addressing several stints of mass overdoses.

“The (overdose) incidents in March were so extraordinary. Year-to-date, our overdoses are at about 2500. During March, when we were seeing 37 calls per day, the work that you have to do when responding to an overdose is so personal and so connected. There was a deep impact on our fire fighters,” she recalls.

Saskatoon fire fighters also tackled two fires on the University Bridge.

“It was minus 35 out there. That is a tough situation, but we pulled together and we deal with all these situations.”

She says these circumstances have changed what it looks like to be a traditional firefighter.

“Those EMS calls, and particularly the overdose calls, are becoming a natural part of our workload and have been for a while.”

The fire department also has jurisdiction over safe housing. Goulden McLeod says last year there were 1200 reports of encampments, and this year that number is about 1800.

She says if anyone is in the spirit of giving this season, they can donate to the community organizations and warming shelters that provide warmth and support to Saskatoon’s homeless population, which is now roughly 1931.