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Fire Service Minimum Standards Guide

Two firefighters in protective gear kneeling and spraying foam during a training exercise.

Overview The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) released the Fire Service Minimum Standards Guide in May 2022. They developed this guide together with the Saskatchewan Association of Fire Chiefs (SAFC), the Saskatchewan Volunteer Fire Fighters Association (SVFA) and the Provincial Training Standards Committee (PTSC).

The goal is to make firefighting safer in Saskatchewan by setting written minimum standards for three levels of fire service, based on the training and equipment each department has. These guidelines will help fire departments and associations make sure they can continue to respond to fires in a way that fits the needs of their communities.

It is important that municipal leaders and fire chiefs work closely together for this program to succeed. The first phase includes a 16‑month period for assessment and decision‑making. During this time, municipal councils and their fire services must work together to choose the right service level for their community. Service Level options include:
  • Defensive
  • Offensive
  • Full Operations
Wildfire and grassland firefighting is an extra service level that fire departments can choose to offer. It can be provided on its own or added to any of the three main firefighting service levels. Participation by fire services is not mandatory.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The FAQ section explains why the Fire Service Minimum Standards program exists and how it supports safer, more effective firefighting across Saskatchewan. It provides clear answers about the purpose of the guidelines, what areas they cover and how they help fire departments align training and equipment with community needs.

1. Why is the SPSA implementing this program? In April 2020, the executive teams from the Saskatchewan Association of Fire Chiefs (SAFC) and the Saskatchewan Volunteer Fire Fighters Association (SVFFA) submitted a position paper to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA). The paper, called “Guidelines for the Provincial Levels of Fire Fighting Standards and Community Declaration of Service,” strongly recommended that Saskatchewan introduce provincial service levels for fire departments. The SPSA agreed with this concept and started developing the process.
2. What areas of the fire service does the Minimum Standards Guide cover? The guidelines focus mainly on basic firefighting skills. The SPSA expects to add more sections in the future, including standards for auto extrication and fire prevention or mitigation work in communities.
3. Do any other provinces have programs like this? Yes. All western provinces, plus Yukon and Ontario, have minimum standards for their fire services. The SPSA worked closely with the SVFFA and SAFC to develop a “Made in Saskatchewan” version that uses parts of the British Columbia and Manitoba programs.
4. How does this program increase safety in Saskatchewan?

Strong training programs make sure firefighters have the skills they need to respond safely and effectively. The guidelines also support better communication between elected officials and fire departments by creating opportunities:

  • To coordinate planning and budgets so firefighters have the right training and equipment for their service level.
  • To give guidance on equipment maintenance.
  • To improve firefighter job satisfaction through standard training, equipment expectations, and clear roles.
5. Does the Fire Commissioner have the authority to implement this program? Yes. The authority to implement this program comes from Part II, Section 6 and Section 17 of The Fire Safety Act.
6. What process was used to develop the Minimum Standards Guide?

After receiving the position paper in April 2020, the SPSA created a working committee in May 2020 to:

  • Determine whether minimum standards were needed in Saskatchewan.
  • Build the program with fire service experts, using successful models from other provinces.

Once a draft was prepared, the SPSA approved it. Consultations ran from January to April 2022. The SPSA provided information to — and received feedback from — organizations including:

  • SUMA Executive
  • SARM Executive
  • SAFC and SVFFA Executives
  • Fire Chiefs and firefighters at regional and zone meetings
  • Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI)
  • Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety (LRWS)
7. How and when were Fire Chiefs and municipal staff informed about this program? The SPSA presented information at SVFFA and SAFC zone/region meetings between January and April 2022, though not all regions chose to schedule meetings. The Fire Commissioner officially announced the start of the first phase (assessment and declaration) during the SAFC Convention in May 2022. Letters were also sent to municipal administrators and Fire Chiefs in early May 2022.
8. Is this program mandatory? No. The program itself is optional. However, under Section 17 of The Fire Safety Act, every community must submit a Declaration Form by October 31, 2023. Communities not taking part in the program can indicate this on the form. Once the SPSA receives it, the Fire Commissioner will send a letter acknowledging the decision. If a community later decides to participate, they can start the assessment process and submit a new Declaration Form at any time.
9. How does my community fire department or association declare a service level?

There are five steps:

  1. Fire Chief reviews the Fire Service Minimum Standards Guide.
  2. Fire Chief and council meet to discuss the proposed service level.
  3. Fire Chief completes the checklist.
  4. Fire Chief and council complete and approve the Declaration of Service Form.
  5. The Declaration of Service Form is sent to the SPSA.

Appendix A of the Guide outlines the specific actions for each step. The Guide is available on saskpublicsafety.ca.

10. What about future capital budget needs? Can we change our service level later? Yes. If the fire department needs more training or equipment to reach the desired level, they can submit their Declaration during the 16‑month assessment phase and update their service level at any time by submitting a new Declaration Form. If major equipment or training will take longer to obtain, the Fire Chief can use the Declaration Form to note what is needed and the expected timeline. Each community’s timeline will be different.
11. Is the SPSA providing funding for training or equipment? No. Not at this time.
12. Does SGI’s auto extrication funding apply to these minimum standards? No. SGI’s funding announced in April 2022 is only for auto extrication training and equipment. Although auto extrication standards may be added to the Minimum Standards Guide later, the SGI program is separate.
13. Where can I find more information on the Minimum Standards Guide? Municipal officials and Fire Chiefs have access to the guide, background materials, and the assessment/declaration forms. The guide is available at Fire Service Minimum Standards Guide.
14. Who can I contact for more information? Fire departments can email:  For questions directed to SPSA staff, email spsa@gov.sk.ca.
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