Provincial Disaster
The Saskatchewan
Assistance  Program
Fire Safety Act Guide




Last Updated: June 2024   PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCY
Table of Contents
Definitions                                                                                                          3

Mandatory responsibilities                                                                                           4

Reporting                                                                                                            5

Fire investigations                                                                                                  6

Inspections                                                                                                          9

Issuing orders                                                                                                      10

Right of entry for emergencies                                                                                      11

Closure of buildings                                                                                                12

Liability                                                                                                           13

Bylaws                                                                                                              14

The Fire Commissioner                                                                                               15

Notes                                                                                                           16, 17

Appendix A - Forms                                                                                                  18

Appendix B - The Fire Safety Act                                                                                    28




  This publication is intended as an overview and guide to the new Fire Safety Act. It paraphrases information and does
  not contain complete details of the new Act. It is important to refer directly to the Act and consider consulting legal
  counsel on points that need clarification to ensure compliance.




Last Updated: June 2024                                                                    PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCY
Definitions
Emergency                                                              •   For a municipality that does not have a fire department,
                                                                           the local assistant would be the administrator or any
A present or imminent situation or condition that requires
                                                                           other person appointed by the municipality.
prompt action or coordination of an action to prevent or
to limit:                                                              •   Any person appointed in consultation with the fire
                                                                           commissioner.
Loss of life                                                           •   Where there is no municipality, the local assistant would
•   Harm or damage to the safety, health or the welfare                    be prescribed (e.g. appointed under the jurisdiction of
    of people.                                                             a ministry or appointed for the Northern Saskatchewan
•   Damage to property or the environment.                                 Administrative District).

Fire Brigade                                                           Local Authority
A privately owned fire suppression service that provides               A municipality or a council of a municipality.
a response to an emergency fire situation but that is not
established or operated or contracted with by a local authority.
                                                                       Municipal Inspector
                                                                       A person who is appointed in writing by a local assistant
Fire Department                                                        for a municipality to act as a municipal inspector for the
A fire department established or operated by or contracted             municipality for the purposes of this Act.
with a local authority.
                                                                       Premises
Fire Inspector                                                         Includes buildings, facilities and structures.
A provincial inspector, a local assistant or a municipal
inspector.                                                             Private Dwelling
                                                                       Includes any land where a private dwelling is located or any
Firefighter                                                            outbuilding or premises that is located on the same property
•   A fire chief;                                                      as a private dwelling, but does not include any part of that
                                                                       land, outbuilding or premises that:
•   Any person employed by, appointed by or performing
    duties for a local authority as a firefighter, whether for         •   is not being used as a private dwelling or is not enclosed
    wages or otherwise.                                                    within the private dwelling;
•   Any person employed by, appointed by or performing                 •   is being used to carry out a commercial operation.
    duties on behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan                 The following are considered private dwellings:
    to provide fire services.
                                                                       •   foster care homes;
Firefighting                                                           •   alternative family care homes οr any other prescribed
The services that are provided by a fire department, whether               property;
provided pursuant to this Act, the regulations or any other Act,       •   Does not include derelict or abandoned premises that
and include any or all of the following:                                   have been used as private dwellings.
•   fire prevention and protection;
                                                                       Provincial Inspector
•   fire safety;
                                                                       The fire commissioner, deputy fire commissioner or anyone
•   fire inspections;                                                  else appointed by the fire commissioner.
•   fire investigation.
                                                                       Volunteer
Local Assistant                                                        A person performing duties pursuant to this Act under
•   With respect to a municipality that has a fire department,         the direction of a local authority, a local assistant or the
    the local assistant would become the fire chief.                   fire commissioner.


                                                                   3
Mandatory responsibilities




The Fire Safety Act identifies certain responsibilities that municipal and emergency services officials are required to do.
Local Authority                                                        The policy decision of how active enforcement will be
                                                                       within a municipality is left to the municipality to make
Section 13                                                             based on local conditions. It can range from an active
Requires the local authority to notify the fire commissioner           inspection program to dealing with complaints only.
in writing when someone becomes or ceases to be a
                                                                       Section 20
local assistant. The written notice will include the person’s
name, address and contact information. A local assistant               Requires the local assistant to investigate or cause (ensure)
may be tasked with other duties by the fire commissioner.              every fire that occurs within their jurisdiction to be
This provides up to date contact information.                          investigated. Once a fire has been investigated, the cause
                                                                       and origin are to be reported to the fire commissioner.
Written notification may be sent to:
                                                                       (More information found under Investigations – Page 6)
Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency
2nd Floor – 2055 Albert Street                                         In addition, this section requires the local assistant
Regina, SK S4P 2T8                                                     to report every emergency that occurs within their
                                                                       jurisdiction that had a fire department/fire brigade
Section 17                                                             respond to it.
Requires the local authority to file fire service information          (More information found under Reporting – Page 5)
to the fire commissioner and to share this information                 Section 22
with its residents.
(More information found under Reporting – Page 5)                      Requires a local assistant to secure the property and
                                                                       notify the fire commissioner of any significant fire.
Local Assistant                                                        (More information found under Fire Investigation –
                                                                       Significant Fires – Page 8)
Section 15
Identifies the local assistant is responsible to administer            Fire Department and Fire Brigade
and enforce the Act and regulations. The Act does not                  Section 24
say“how” the administration and enforcement must be                    Requires a fire department or fire brigade to report every
conducted. This includes the National Fire Code (NFC).                 response to an emergency other than a fire to the fire
                                                                       commissioner.


                                                                   4
Reporting

                                                                                                Sharing information is
                                                                                                crucial for public safety
                                                                                                services and communities.
                                                                                                It fosters public confidence,
                                                                                                aids in preserving historical
                                                                                                data for industry use,
                                                                                                and prevents future fire
                                                                                                losses through code
                                                                                                improvements, training,
                                                                                                and education programs.



There are two types of reporting:                                       This same form may be used for communicating the
                                                                        fire service information to community residents.
1. Fire Service Information (Section 17)                                Other options could include media releases,
   Provision requires local authorities to collect fire                 community meetings or mail-outs.
   service information in the form and manner within
   the periods directed by the minister, to communicate             2. Fire and Emergency Response (Sections 20, 22, 24)
   the basic information about the fire services available             It would be impossible to reduce the losses suffered
   to residents in their community and to the fire                     each year by fire without the cooperation of local
   commissioner.                                                       assistants, fire department chiefs, insurance
                                                                       companies and insurance adjusters submitted fire
    The local authority will review and update its fire
                                                                       reports. It is vital that every fire be reported and that
    service information on an annual basis. Any changes
                                                                       fires involving serious injury or death are reported
    to this information will be communicated to residents
                                                                       immediately to the fire commissioner.
    and the fire commissioner.
                                                                        The fire commissioner’s duty is also to collect
    Collecting and communicating fire service
                                                                        information on all emergencies fire departments or
    information ensures that:
                                                                        fire brigades are required to attend. The rationale for
•    municipal councils, residents and taxpayers/property               collecting information on both fires and emergencies
     owners are informed and aware of the fire services                 is they are used to evaluate fire service activities
     provided locally;                                                  in response to a fire or emergency and inform the
•    neighbouring municipalities and communities are                    Province of all activities involving fire departments
     informed of fire protection services, potentially                  and fire brigades. This includes all emergencies that a
     encouraging greater cooperation in fire service                    fire department would respond to including vehicle
     delivery; and                                                      accidents, false alarms, etc.
•    the Province, through the fire commissioner, is                    Fire reports can be submitted electronically by
     informed of local fire service and response capacity so            using the Fire Department Management System,
     they may identify gaps and risks based on the capacity             also called FDM.
     of local authorities that may require provincial                   If you encounter difficulties using the system, call the
     response and support.                                              FDM Help Line at 1-844-407-0077. Hard copy forms
     A form is available for local authorities to report fire           for use in the field to record information for input
     service information to the fire commissioner.                      online are available in the Appendix A of this guide.


                                                                5
Fire investigations




Statistics indicate that approximately 80 percent of fires can be investigated very easily. The answer to the origin and cause
and the identification of circumstances resulting in the fire are readily apparent at the fire scene and usually witnesses will
be able to tell the fire investigator exactly what happened. The remaining 20 percent of fires may require a more
in-depth investigation and some will require a criminal investigation due to suspicious circumstances.
The local assistant is not asked to be an expert fire investigator nor a criminal investigator. Where the local assistant can
identify the origin, cause and circumstances surrounding a fire, it is requested they report the fire to the fire commissioner.
Where the local assistant cannot identify the origin, cause and circumstances; when a conflict exists; or when they are
suspicious of the cause of the fire, a provincial inspector is available to assist in the investigation of the fire. The local
assistant can phone the 24-hour toll free number 1-800-667-9660, and a provincial inspector will be assigned
to help assist in investigating the fire.
Requests for fire investigations and/or investigational support can be made through dispatch, or by contacting the
Investigations & Emergency Response Director at 306-220-3428.
Every local authority (municipality) will have a local assistant. The local assistant is responsible to investigate for cause and
ensure an investigation occurs on every fire that happens within their jurisdiction. If the local assistant doesn’t have the
experience necessary, they should contact the fire commissioner to seek advice and assistance in engaging the services
of a fire inspector.
To allow fire inspectors to properly investigate fires, certain powers and authority are granted. These powers are quite
unique and are not to be used or taken lightly. The powers are limited to specific parameters and the fire inspector
must be aware of the rights to enter, to examine and to exclude.


                                                                6
Right to enter
Section 21
Any fire inspector may, where it is necessary in the conduct of an investigation, at any reasonable time enter on land or
any premises where a fire has occurred to determine the cause of the fire.
This investigation must be started within three business days after the fire occurred.
When a fire occurs in a private dwelling, and during the inspection, if the fire inspector believes that a violation of the Act
has occurred (for example, if no working smoke detectors are present) or if the fire seems suspicious the fire inspector
must stop their investigation. Before proceeding any further, the fire inspector must notify the owner of the
violation and either obtain the written consent of the owner or obtain a warrant.
Asking the owner or occupant of the property for written consent ensures that the owner/occupant is aware of
the consent they are giving and protects the fire inspector in the event that a situation ends up in the courts.
If the property owner refuses to provide written consent, then a warrant is required before continuing the investigation.
Contact the local police agency for assistance in obtaining a warrant. The fire scene should be physically secured by
fire personnel, police or another appropriate authority while obtaining the warrant. Securing the scene will prevent
unauthorized entry and maintain continuity.
After the initial investigation, if the fire appears to be suspicious, a call should be made to a provincial inspector or
coordinated with the local police agency to obtain a warrant.


Right to examine and retain
Section 31
The process of a fire investigation requires that property be examined and, in some instances, be retained as evidence. The
right to examine would be limited if the local assistant could only conduct such examinations on the fire scene. Laboratory
analysis or examination by other experts would or could be impossible or extremely impractical without the right of
seizure. The Act contains these powers and authority for the local assistant to permit examination and retention
of property.
The Act allows for the retention of property or items taken for the purpose of testing or as evidence, as in the case of
criminal investigation. The removal of property or items from the fire scene does not transfer ownership of these things to
the local assistant, just the responsibility for it. The local assistant must make the effort to return the items to the owner or
dispose of the items as per the owner’s wishes.
This power has been extended to include peace officers under the direction of a local assistant as the police are better
equipped to properly handle property items and have access to testing laboratories. Unless the local assistant has proper
training and facilities to retain evidence, it is recommended all evidence be handled by a peace officer at the fire scene,
and the items taken be left in the control of the peace officer to properly handle the evidence.




                                                                7
Right to exclude (close or restrict entry)
Section 31
The investigation of a fire requires that the fire scene be controlled to allow for factual information to be gathered.
When the property owner and/or curious bystander have unrestricted access to a fire scene, the chances of gaining
an accurate result of the investigation is greatly reduced. Unrestricted access may allow for the destruction of valuable
evidence, sometimes deliberately by the arsonist. The exclusion right is intended to protect the fire scene and prevent
any disturbance of the signs and evidence that provide for an accurate investigation, not to cause undue hardship to the
persons who occupied the property.
This power must not be used indiscriminately without reason. Persons can be escorted through the fire scene where
necessary to ensure evidence is not unduly disturbed.
Limitations on the Powers and Authority Granted
The local assistant has these powers and authorities granted under The Act, only within very restricted parameters.
Other authority(ies) wanting to gain entry to property for investigation or other purposes cannot use The Act.
•   The local assistant must be within their jurisdiction.
•   The local assistant must be investigating a fire that is known or is believed to have occurred on the property.
•   The local assistant must gather the information for the fire report.
Once the facts of the fire have been determined, the power and authority ends and actions taken must be made by
permission of the owner or by warrant.
The Act offers some immunity from liability for local assistants; however, the protection is limited to the conditions already
discussed above. The protection does not allow a fire department or local assistant to act negligently or without due
regard to others’ rights. See more information on Liability on Page 13.


Significant Fires
Section 22
Certain fires may occur that require the local assistant to report as soon as is practical. These are considered “significant
fires.” A significant fire is any fire that:
•   Is, in your opinion, suspicious and with a significant amount of loss or damage
•   Involves a death or serious injury(ies)
•   Involves property owned or leased by the Crown (Government property)
When a significant fire occurs, such as the only business in a small community which would cause major impact
(major employer or supplier), the fire department shall contact the fire commissioner through the 24-hour toll-free line
at 1-800-667-9660 as soon as is practical. What is practical will vary with each situation. Usually this will be once the fire
is under control or the loss is stopped. The fire department will need to secure the fire scene to prevent entry until a
municipal or provincial investigator arrives on scene.
If the fire damaged area is small in size, this may be accomplished by locking the doors and boarding up any windows,
if the scene is larger or of a serious nature the fire department may want to leave a fire department member on scene
to guard the area. Additional resources that could be called upon to assist with securing a scene are the police, private
security companies and core of commissionaires.
For a significant fire, the person conducting the investigation must be a municipal inspector, a provincial inspector or the
local assistant if they have been directed by a provincial inspector to conduct the investigation.




                                                                8
Inspections
Informing people in your community through a proactive              In “places open to the general public,” notice and
approach can be seen as a valuable added service from               identification is not required for inspectors, when ordinary
a local fire department. Many people create fire safety             citizens may enter – this provides an inspector with the
hazards within buildings simply because they do not realize         ability to inspect public places for fire risks (such as an
they have created a hazard. Given a reason or explanation,          overcrowded nightclub/hotel bar).
most will be willing to cooperate and
                                                                    In situations of non-public places, such as manufacturing
correct fire hazards voluntarily.
                                                                    processes or office buildings, a reasonable attempt must
Guidelines have been provided for the safety of the                 be made to notify an owner or occupant, if present, of the
occupants in existing buildings, the elimination or control         purpose of the entry at the time of the entry. Upon
of fire hazards in and around buildings, the installation and       request of the owner identification must be produced.
maintenance of certain life safety systems in buildings and         A warrant is required when entering a private dwelling
the establishing of a fire safety plan in those occupancies         unless the owner or occupant consents. Given the
where it is considered necessary. The frequency of                  definition of ‘private dwelling’ in the Act, this ensures that
inspections will vary from one occupancy to another                 any land and premises associated with a private dwelling
depending on:                                                       also requires consent or a warrant. So, foster care and
•   Type of occupancy                                               alternative family care homes are treated the same as
•   Occupant load                                                   private dwellings, consistent with how they are treated
                                                                    for building code purposes.
•   Function
                                                                    To obtain a warrant, contact your local police agency.
•   Grade of hazard
The end result of a fire prevention inspection should:              Standards for inspection are based on the
•   Produce a property that is safer because the inspection         National Fire Code of Canada (NFC)
    was conducted.                                                  The Fire Safety Regulations adopt the NFC to establish
•   Inspire an improved attitude towards fire prevention            minimum standards for fire prevention and life safety
    by management and employees.                                    in existing buildings including the conduct of activities
•   Provide a record of the findings and action resulting           causing fire hazards, maintenance of fire safety
    from the inspection.                                            equipment, such as portable extinguishers and life and
                                                                    fire safety features, limitations on building contents
The Act clarifies the powers and requirements such as when          and the establishment of fire safety plans, including the
a warrant, notification and identification are required when        organization of supervisory staff for emergency purposes.
entering a property for the purposes of an inspection to
monitor compliance or when conducting an inspection.                In addition, the NFC establishes the standard for prevention
                                                                    and containment of fires originating outside buildings,
A Fire Safety Inspection Report may be issued as a letter,          which may present a hazard to a community and standards
provided it contains all information required, as noted             for the storage and handling of dangerous goods and
above, or the inspector can use the suggested Fire Safety           flammable and combustible liquids.
Inspection Report Form from SPSA or fire departments
may choose to design their own.                                     The Construction Codes Act has regulations governing the
                                                                    construction and barrier free access to buildings.
Right to enter                                                      The Construction Codes Act adopts the National Building
                                                                    Code of Canada and establishes the standard of fire safety
Section 30
                                                                    for the construction of new buildings, the reconstruction
Any fire inspector may without a warrant, at any reasonable         of buildings, including extensions or alterations and
time, enter any land or premise for the purposes of an              buildings involving a change of occupancy. The building
inspection to help monitor compliance with this Act and             regulations are a reference document for the fire code.
regulations. However, this does not apply to any
private dwellings.
                                                                9
Issuing orders
Orders                                                             or all the conditions listed on the written order have
                                                                   been complied with. Once an order is issued the fire
Section 33                                                         department has the responsibility to follow through to
While the majority of fire prevention inspection work can          ensure the order is complied with.
be accomplished through education, explanation and                 If the property owner or occupant does not comply
working with property owners to ensure they are meeting            with the order within the timeframe identified or after
the requirements of the Act, there are still situations of         reasonable inquiry, the owner cannot be determined, the
non-compliance with the Act and fire safety regulations.           following actions can be taken.
As a result, the fire inspector, upon inspection, has the
authority to enforce the regulations through the issuing           The local assistant or the fire commissioner may perform
of an order.                                                       any actions required to satisfy the conditions of the order
                                                                   and have the authority to recover the costs and expenses
An order is a written document that must provide certain,          incurred from the property owner of the land or premises:
specific information to the owner or occupant of the
property that the order has been issued. The order                 •   For the local assistant, if the costs and expenses are
document must specify:                                                 not paid in the time specified by the local authority,
                                                                       the local authority may, if it has the authority to levy
•   what is creating a hazard                                          taxes, add the amount of the costs and expenses to
•   what the person is required to do to resolve the                   the owner’s property taxes.
    hazard                                                         •   For the fire commissioner, if the costs and expenses
•   when the correction must be completed                              are not paid in the time specified, the order is seen
                                                                       as a debt due to the Crown and can be recovered
•   identification of the property and owner
                                                                       by the Crown in any manner set out in The Financial
•   to whom the order is issued                                        Administration Act, 1993 or the Crown may consider
•   the authority to issue the order                                   legal action against the property owner of the land
                                                                       or premises.
•   who issued the order and when, and
                                                                       It is strongly recommended that where an order is
•   the person’s right to appeal the order
                                                                       issued and compliance is still not accomplished, a
An order may be issued as a letter, provided it contains               lawyer be consulted by the fire chief or municipal
all information required, as noted above, or the inspector             official to determine the next step in enforcing
can use the suggested Order to Remedy Contravention form               compliance.
available in Appendix A or fire departments may choose
to design their own.                                               Right to Appeal
The form contains two parts – the order form and the
                                                                   Section 39
appeal form. Both forms must be given to the person
when an order is issued.                                           A property owner or occupant who has been issued
                                                                   an order for a fire code violation does have the right to
The fire inspector may direct the local authority to have
                                                                   appeal the order. The appeal must be made with 15 days
the order registered against the property owner’s title to
                                                                   of being served.
the land through the Land Titles Registry. This ensures
that the order is binding on the owner of the land and             The appellant must file the appeal in writing to the fire
provides any prospective purchasers with notice that               commissioner and serve a notice of the appeal to the
there is an order placed on the title and it must be taken         inspector who made the order. The fire commissioner has
care of before a purchase (of the title) can be made.              30 days to consider the appeal in which the order may be
                                                                   confirmed, modified or revoked.
An order is cleared or removed when the fire inspector is
satisfied that the direction of the order has been followed


                                                              10
Right of entry for emergencies
Fires and emergencies
Section 18
Fire departments respond to much more than just fires
and the Act now provides authority for fire departments
to respond to all emergencies.
A local assistant or any person authorized by the local
assistant (fire department) may enter any property,
where a fire or emergency is occurring and requires a
fire department response. The fire department can take
any measures necessary to suppress a fire or address the
emergency. This authority applies to any adjoining land
or premise to the fire or emergency, for the purpose of
responding to the fire or emergency.
The Act also gives the local assistant the authority to
direct his or her local fire services in another jurisdiction
in the event of a fire or emergency outside the local
assistant’s jurisdiction that if left unaddressed would
pose a risk to the local assistant’s jurisdiction.
If a fire department attends to a fire or emergency
outside of their jurisdiction, they must comply with the
directions/ authority of the jurisdiction where the fire or
emergency is occurring. This ensures that the authority
remains the responsibility of the municipality where the
fire or emergency occurred.

Imminent Risk
Section 19
The Act allows a fire inspector to enter land or any premises without a warrant and take preventive actions to protect
against the risk of fire, emergency or other danger, based on the belief that an imminent risk exists. An imminent risk is
defined as an immediate risk of fire, emergency or other danger that in the opinion of a fire inspector threatens persons,
property or the environment and requires a fire department response.
If a fire inspector has taken preventive actions under this authority, the inspector is to immediately notify the fire
commissioner of the circumstances.




                                                                11
Closure of buildings
Right to close buildings
Section 31
During the course of an inspection, an inspector may observe conditions creating a serious danger to persons, property or
the environment. When this occurs, the inspector may take any measures appropriate to remove or lessen the condition.
This includes the authority to evacuate and close a premises.
Evacuating and closing of a building can cause both emotional and financial hardship on the owner and/or occupants.
This is either through loss of business or loss of living accommodations. As a fire inspector, this authority must only be
used when the threat to persons is significant.
Incidents of this nature are rare but do occur. A possible example of this would be if people are living inside a building that
was not designed for residential use, the building did not have an alarm system, there was no emergency lighting and the
building has improper exits.
During the night if an emergency occurred, there is no early warning detection from an alarm system, and the ability for
occupants to escape would be impaired by the lack of emergency lighting and exits. The risk of injury or even death to the
buildings occupants while they are sleeping is too great. In a situation like this, the fire inspector would have the grounds
to close the building.




                                                              12
Liability




Immunity from liability
Section 45
The liability provisions have been adjusted to expand the immunity from liability for the following personnel whenever
performing their duties to enforce the Act whether inside their jurisdiction or elsewhere:
•   fire personnel
•   fire departments
•   municipal employees and contractors that provide their services to other municipalities through fire department
    services agreements
•   the Crown
•   the minister
•   ministry personnel, performing fire service duties on behalf of the province
•   local authority
•   local assistant
•   peace officers



                                                            13
Bylaws
Bylaws
Section 49
Municipalities have the authority to pass any bylaw relating to fire services and fire safety/prevention matters
(e.g. regulation of fireworks, etc.), under the three respective municipal acts.
In view of this, the Act does not prevent a local authority from passing and enforcing any bylaw regarding the provision
of fire and life safety unless the bylaw conflicts or cannot co-exist with any corresponding fire safety standard in the
National Fire Code (NFC) that the province follows and enforces through the Act and its regulations. If a bylaw is in
conflict, then the fire safety bylaw would need Government approval in order to be valid.
•   The distinction between a fire safety bylaw that is in conflict and requiring Ministerial approval, compared to a fire
    safety bylaw that exceeds or is more exacting than an NFC standard and would not require Government approval,
    is whether compliance with one standard results in a breach of the other standard.
•   A bylaw relating to fire services and fire safety/prevention matters will only require the approval of the
    Minister if the bylaw creates a standard which is less protective than the NFC and results in noncompliance
    with the NFC. A standard that exceeds or is more protective than a standard in the NFC would not be considered
    in conflict.

Example
•   A bylaw that requires hard-wired smoke detectors to be installed in buildings rather than the NFC standard of
    permitting the use of battery operated smoke detectors to be installed would not be in conflict.
•   The bylaw requirement for hard-wired smoke detectors in buildings would create a higher and more onerous standard
    and would not be seen as a contravention of the battery operated smoke detector requirement because the bylaw is
    more protective and exacting than a battery operated smoke detector.
•   A municipality would not be in violation for implementing a hard-wired smoke detector system which exceeds the
    NFC standard and therefore, it would not require the approval of the Minister.
    We encourage all local authorities when creating a bylaw relating to fire services and fire safety/prevention
    matters, to seek legal counsel to discuss drafting a standard that would be compliant with the standards
    outlined in the NFC.




                                                             14
The Fire Commissioner
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA)                       This includes:
reports to the Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public
                                                                   a.   establishing an Incident Command Structure (ICS),
Safety. The SPSA is the base for the fire commissioner to
                                                                        if one is not already established by a local authority,
provide Saskatchewan communities, fire departments and
                                                                        to direct and manage fire department services,
emergency management organizations with programs
                                                                        police services, environmental services, and all other
and services that:
                                                                        emergency services personnel in attendance at the
•   protect people, property and the environment                        site of the emergency
    from fire and other emergencies
                                                                   b. coordinating all emergency services personnel
•   build local community capacity to respond to                      in attendance at the site of the emergency in
    emergencies                                                       accordance with the incident command structure
•   enhance public safety across the province                         established in clause (a)
More specifically, SPSA provides programs and                      c.   directing that land or premises that the fire
services in the following areas:                                        commissioner considers affected by the emergency
                                                                        be evacuated
•   Fire dispatching
                                                                   d. closing or causing the closure of land or premises
•   Fire service and emergency management training
                                                                      or of things that the fire commissioner considers
•   Fire service certification                                        affected by the emergency for any period that the fire
•   Fire investigation and reporting                                  commissioner considers appropriate
•   Public education in fire safety and emergency                  e. pulling down or removing premises or things on
    preparedness                                                      or attached to the land or premises on which the
                                                                      emergency occurred or is occurring, or on adjacent
•   Technical advice and interpretations
                                                                      land or premises
•   Emergency and disaster operational response
                                                                   f.   implementing any plan that the fire commissioner
•   Sask911 system                                                      considers appropriate to eliminate, reduce or control
•   Provincial Public Safety Telecommunications Network                 the effects of the emergency
    (PPSTN)                                                        g. issuing orders to persons to provide labour, services,
                                                                      equipment or materials to assist in meeting the
Section 7                                                             emergency
The Fire Safety Act enables the fire commissioner to:              The deployment of an ICS by the fire commissioner
•   Provide assistance to a local authority during an              does not prescribe how a city or other local authority is
    emergency                                                      expected to set up its own incident command structure(s).
•   Manage an emergency, if/when requested by a local              The fire commissioner also has the discretionary
    authority and after reasonable consultation, or                authority to:
•   Manage an emergency due to a lack of capacity, or              •    provide and recover any costs for fire department
    an inability or unwillingness of the local authority to             services
    respond
                                                                   •    assist municipalities with developing their fire service
In case of an emergency that requires fire department                   information for their community
services, the fire commissioner has the authority to take          •    investigate or hold inquiries into the circumstances
any necessary action to address the emergency and                       of any emergency
minimize its impact, even if local authorities are unable
or unwilling to respond, after consulting with them to             •    investigate conditions under which fires are likely
the extent possible.                                                    to occur


                                                              15
Notes




        16
Notes




        17
Appendix A
Forms
•   Basic Incident Report
•   Order to Remedy Contravention
•   Notice of Appeal




                                    18
Basic Incident Report
Page 1 of 3

Incident Details

Name of Person Completing this Report:                                                                    Contact Phone Number:

Representing:
                      government organization, firm or corporation, emergency response agency

Incident Date:                                                      Incident Time:
                              day/ month/ year                                          use 24-hour clock
Incident
Address:
                          street address/lot, block and plan #/land location description                RM/Town/City/Village/Hamlet             postal code

Incident Type:
                                                                            provide detail of Incident type

Did a fire department attend?          ❑Yes       ❑No         If Yes, name of department:


Mutual Aid:           ❑Mutual Aid Received        ❑Mutual Aid Given

Resources:       Number of Apparatus                                                      Number of Personnel
                  list total number of apparatuses responded                               list total number of personnel responded

Persons Involved

Police Contact:                                                                                       Phone:

Owners Name :                                                                                         Phone:

Owner’s Address:

Occupant’s Name:                                                                                      Phone:

Property Details


           provide detailed description of the property – also check below as applicable

Property Type
❑Assembly                        ❑Educational                          ❑Mercantile / Business             ❑Storage                    ❑Manufacturing
❑Health Care / Detention         ❑Industry / Utility                   ❑Outside or special property       ❑Residential                ❑Other / Undetermined

Building Status
❑Under Construction              ❑Under major renovation                ❑Being demolished                 ❑Undetermined
❑In Normal Use                   ❑Idle / Not routinely used             ❑Vacant and unsecured             ❑Vacant and secured

Building height                                        Floor size                                         Acres Burned
                      total # of stories                                 indicate square feet or metres


Mobile Property Involved
❑None                 ❑Not involved with ignition, but burned            ❑Involved with ignition, but did not burn       ❑Involved with ignition and burned

Mobile Property Type
❑Passenger or road transport         ❑Aircraft
                                                                         ❑Freight road vehicle                           ❑Industrial, agriculture, construction
❑Transport vehicle (Rail)            ❑Miscellaneous
                                                                         ❑Water vessel                                   ❑Unknown

Mobile Property Details
                      Make

                        Model

                        License number                                   Province                              VIN




                                                                               19
Basic Incident Report
Page 2 of 3

Insurance and Values

Estimated dollar value of the property   $                               Estimated dollar value of damage         $

Insurance File #                                                         Insurance Corporation

Insurance contact person                                                 Phone

Ignition Factors

Area of Origin
                             provide detailed description of the primary use of the area where the fire started – also check below as applicable

                      ❑Means of egress                               ❑Storage areas                                   ❑Transportation vehicle areas
                      >hallways, entrance areas, fire exits          >storerooms, closets, garages                    >passenger area, trunk, engine
                      ❑Assembly areas                                ❑Service areas                                   ❑Outside/Other areas
                      >theaters, community halls, living rooms       >conduit, pipes, elevator shaft                  >streets, parking lots, railway tracks
                      ❑Function area                                 ❑Service or equipment areas                      ❑Undetermined
                      >bedroom, kitchen, office, dining room         >mechanical rooms, cells                         >area or origin cannot be determined
                      ❑Technical processing area                     ❑Structural areas
                      >laboratories, operating rooms, stages         >attics, crawl spaces, exterior of walls

Heat Source
                          provide detailed description of the heat source which ignited the first object to burn – also check below as applicable

                     ❑Operating equipment                            ❑Other open flame, smoker’s materials            ❑Other heat sources
                     >spark, ember, electrical arc, radiant heat     >cigarettes, candles, match, lighter             >multiple heat sources
                     ❑Hot smoldering object                          ❑Chemical, Natural heat sources                  ❑Undetermined
                     >heat of friction, molten material, welding     >sunlight, spontaneous combustion                >heat source cannot be determined
                     ❑Explosives, fireworks                          ❑Heat spread from another fire
                     >blasting agent, munitions, fireworks           >flame contact, radiant heat, embers


Item First Ignited
                                             provide detailed description of the item first ignited – also check below as applicable


                     ❑Structural component                           ❑Adornment, recreational items, signs            ❑Organic materials
                     >wall coverings, framing, floor coverings       >Christmas trees, awnings, tents, toys           >agricultural crops, humans, animals
                     ❑Furniture, utensils                            ❑Storage supplies                                ❑General materials
                     >upholstery, cabinets, appliances               >boxes, packing materials, pallets               >books, trash, dust, lint, tires, fertilizer
                     ❑Soft goods, wearing apparel                    ❑Liquids, piping, filters                        ❑Undetermined
                     >mattresses, linen, clothing, drapes            >flammable gases / liquids, pipes, ducts         >item first ignited cannot be determined


Cause of Ignition
                     ❑Intentional                                    ❑Failure of equipment                            ❑Cause under investigation
                     >misuse of heat source, incendiary fire         >equipment not functioning properly              >origin and cause not yet determined
                     ❑Unintentional                                  ❑Act of nature                                   ❑Cause undetermined
                     >careless, reckless, accidental acts            >weather, floods, animal behaviour               >cause undetermined after investigation


Factors Contributing to Ignition


                       provide detailed description of the factors that allowed heat source and combustible materials to come into contact/combine

                      ❑Misuse of materials                           ❑Design, Installation Deficiency                 ❑Fire spread or control
                      >unsafe use or placement of heat source        >design, construction, installation faults       >exposure, rekindle, controlled burns
                      ❑Mechanical failure, malfunction               ❑Operational Deficiency                          ❑Undetermined
                      >worn components, control failure, leak        >collisions, unattended equipment                >ignition factors cannot be determined
                      ❑Electrical failure, malfunction               ❑Natural condition
                      >short circuit, arcing, equipment failure      >wind, flood, animal behaviour




                                                                            20
Basic Incident Report
Page 3 of 3

Human Factors
                    ❑Asleep                                       ❑Possible mentally disabled                     ❑None

                                                                  ❑Physically disabled                            Age
                    ❑Impaired by alcohol or drugs

                    ❑Unattended                                   ❑Multiple persons                               Gender


Equipment involved in ignition


                                    provide detailed description of equipment involved in ignition – also check below as applicable

                    ❑Heating, ventilation, air conditioning       ❑Commercial and medical equipment               ❑Electronic, other electrical equipment
                    >furnace, fire place, stove, water heater     >vending machines, O2 equipment                 >computers, TV’s, stereos, cash register
                    ❑Electrical distribution, lighting, power     ❑Garden tools, agricultural equipment           ❑Personal and household equipment
                    >distribution panels, outlet, lights          >combine, chain saw, milking machine            >clothes dryer, curling iron, powered toys
                    ❑Shop tools and industrial equipment          ❑Kitchen and Cooking Equipment                  ❑Other or Undetermined
                    >power saw, welding torch, compressor         >Coffee maker, microwave, dishwasher            >other equipment not listed, none

Brand or Make                                                           Serial Number or
                                                                        other identification

Model                                                                   Year of manufacture


Equipment Power Source

   ❑Electrical                   ❑Gas                    ❑Liquid Fuel                          ❑Solid Fuel                  ❑Other Undetermined


Fire Spread

   ❑Confined to Room of Origin                          ❑Confined to Floor                     ❑Confined to Building of Origin

   ❑Beyond Building of Origin


Other Forms Filed with this Report

    ❑Casualty Report             ❑Fire Detectors and Extinguishing Equipment Report



Remarks




                                                                                                         Add additional page(s) for remarks if necessary




                                                                          21
Order to Remedy Contravention                                                                                       Page 1 of 3

To:




check only one box:      owner          occupant           operator

I,
      Your name


check only one box:      provincial inspector  local assistant  municipal inspector

inspected


                                                        (full address of building / structure / premises / surface parcel number)


on (date)						.


As a result of that inspection, it is my opinion that there is a contravention of:
a. The Fire Safety Act, namely:
Section             -




b. The Saskatchewan Fire Code Regulations, namely:
Section             -




c. An order made pursuant to this Act, namely: (copy of the original order attached)
Section             -




                                                          22
Order to Remedy Contravention (continued)                                                                           Page 2 of 3

You are hereby directed to:
a. by no later than (date)						,




b. by no later than (date)						,




c. by no later than (date)						,




d. by no later than (date)						,




e. by no later than (date)						,




Note: The owner is responsible to comply with all other Acts and Regulations, building permits, electrical and plumbing
permits. If you are aggrieved by this order, you may appeal to the fire commissioner within 15 days of being served with
the order. The appeal must be filed in accordance with Section 39(1) of The Fire Safety Act, a copy of which is attached.
It is an offense to fail to comply with an order made pursuant to The Fire Safety Act. Upon conviction an individual is liable
to a fine of not more than $10,000 and in the case of a continuing offense to a further fine of not more than $5,000 for
each day during which the offense continues. A corporation is liable to a fine of not more than $25,000 and in the case
of a continuing offense to a fine of not more than $10,000 for each day during which the offense continues.


                                                              23
Order to Remedy Contravention (continued)                                                                 Page 3 of 3

I, 									                                                             , was personally served with this Order on
						, at 						, Saskatchewan.




      Signature of person to whom order is directed to                             MONTH / DD / YYYY




                                                                 Name:
                       Fire Inspector
                                                                 Phone:



To the owner, occupant, or operator who feels aggrieved by this Order in writing to the fire commissioner in
Accordance with Section        and       of The Fire Safety Act.

An appeal must be filed, in writing, and within 15 days of receipt of the order. A form is provided.




                                                         24
25
The Fire Safety Act
To:    Fire Commissioner
       Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency
       2nd Floor – 2055 Albert Street
       Regina, SK S4P 2T8


Notice of Appeal
Section 39

I,

of

am the (check only one box)  owner  operator  occupant of a building, structure or premises located at:



HEREBY APPEAL the order of a local assistant or municipal inspector issued pursuant to Section 33 of The Fire
Safety Act. The reasons in support of my appeal are:




                                                   Page 1 of 2


                                                       26
The following documents are filed in support of my appeal:




DATED at										, Saskatchewan.

This				                       day of							                                         , 			                           .


 Name:

 Phone:

 Mailing Address:




This Notice of Appeal must be filed with the fire commissioner within 15 days from the date of this service order,
and a copy must also be served on the local assistant or municipal inspector who issued the Order.




                                                    Page 2 of 2


                                                        27
Appendix B
The Fire Safety Act
Download a copy of the Act here. https://publications.saskatchewan.ca/#/products/76411




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