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.

"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," the union president said.