REGINA — 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.”
“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 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.
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