Kindersley Hosts 2024 SVFFA Fall Fire School

By Kate Winquist

From Friday, September 27 to Sunday, September 29, Kindersley welcomed firefighters from across Saskatchewan for a significant event—the Saskatchewan Volunteer Fire Fighter Association (SVFFA) Fall School. More than 300 firefighter students and 40 instructors came together for this immersive training experience.

The training spanned multiple venues, including the Kindersley Fire Hall, the Kindersley Fire Training Grounds, and the curling rink, while classroom sessions took place at the Kindersley Composite School.

The SVFFA conducts these fire schools biannually throughout the province, providing volunteer firefighters with access to top-notch training opportunities.

Among the courses offered at this year’s school were:

• Fire Fighter Basics

• SCBA

• Ground Ladders and Ropes

• Pump Operations

• Fire Safety Inspections (Visitations)

• Vehicle Fire Fighting

• Vehicle Extrication

• Low Angle Rescue

• Dirty Rescue

• Live Fire Advanced

• Heavy Rescue

• Electrical Vehicle / TBD

• Livestock Rescue

• Wildland Fire Suppression

“The Kindersley Fire Department did an exceptional job hosting this year’s fall fire school,” said Chris Ashfield, Deputy Chief of the Whitewood Fire Department. “Training schools like these provide firefighters with the knowledge and skills necessary to allow them to deal with the difficult and dangerous situations that they will face when responding to fire or accident calls. The courses they take are invaluable to help them be better prepared with not only the skills and knowledge but also with the mental ability in what are often very stressful situations.” Ashfield, who served as an instructor focusing on live vehicle fire training, added, “The fire school also gives firefighters the ability to meet and talk to other firefighters from across the province and share ideas and information that they can take back to their own fire halls to help make the fire services better in all communities. One thing you will find common anywhere you go is that when firefighters get together at events like these we all become one big family that are there with a common goal — how can we do what we do better and safer for ourselves and the communities we serve.”

Kindersley is also hosting the Saskatchewan Association of Fire Chiefs (SAFC) annual convention June 5-7, 2025.