Saskatoon Fire Dept. paying inspectors to reach out to homeless, track encampments

Two full-time Saskatoon fire inspectors are being diverted from their regular duties to reach out to those who are homeless, to arrange social services appointments, and to keep track of encampments.

That’s according to Assistant Deputy Fire Chief Yvonne Raymer. The information was presented Tuesday to the city’s Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services Committee in a report called “Community Risk Reduction.”

The report indicates “addressing unsafe and inadequate housing is within SFD’s role and responsibility,” and that in November 2021, the city changed the role to also include addressing unsafe conditions.

That’s when fire inspectors began to record, track and identify unhoused individuals, where they lived, and why they were there.

According to the report, in the first six months of 2023, there were 290 homeless encampments found in the city. Many are located in or around the downtown area, including Riversdale, Pleasant Hill and Caswell Hill.

However, encampments have also been found as far across the city as North Park, Silverwood Heights, Silverspring and Eastview.

Raymer says the inspectors work to try and connect those who are unhoused to social services — but there are barriers.

“Getting the identification can take up to two weeks before you can get an appointment to get in (to) see an income assistance worker. From there you need about another two weeks before you can actually be rehoused,” she said.

She said other barriers even include actually entering the Ministry of Social Services building in downtown Saskatoon.

“To enter that office, sometimes our inspectors have almost had to walk (people) into that office in order to be successful,” she explained.

Transportation is also a major barrier. The fire department arranges for cab rides to appointments when other community groups aren’t able or are too busy to do so. An invoice is then sent to the Ministry of Social Services.

While the report indicated there weren’t any financial implications, Coun. Darren Hill asked what the dollar value of the two inspectors was, along with the administrative work required.

“I believe at the top they make $76,000 each, so you times that by two and (add) whatever the admin. cost would be for a fleet vehicle, gasoline and a uniform,” she answered.

Because the fire inspectors have been redirected from their usual positions, there’s now a backlog of 1,200 property maintenance complaints and concerns.

“By doing this work, we have slid backwards,” Raymer acknowledged.

“Can you tell me why that’s not included in this report?” asked Hill. “This is very important information that we should be having.”

The Saskatchewan Landlord Association’s Cameron Choquette also addressed council, praising fire department efforts. He noted that in the report, 80 per cent of those the SFD encountered wanted to get help, and over the past two years, 40 per cent of those who did so were able to find housing.

“That’s a good number. Forty per cent isn’t half, but 40 per cent for folks who are facing homelessness is a really great number,” he added.

The report will be forwarded to city council. Motions for more financial information associated with the fire department’s report, along with direction that city council write a letter to the Ministry of Social Services outlining the barriers the Saskatoon Fire Department is facing, passed unanimously.