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Saskatoon Fire Chief Morgan Hackl announces retirement

Dec. 11, 2023, Saskatoon, Sask. – Fire Chief Morgan Hackl is retiring.

He has been a member of Saskatoon Fire Department for 36 years, starting as a firefighter and moving up to captain. He later served as battalion chief and assistant chief before being promoted to his current role of chief in 2015.

“I have always wanted to lead an organization that would make a difference in our community,” Hackl said in a city press release. “I hope that during my time here the Saskatoon Fire Department has helped build a city that is a better place to live, work, learn and play.”

During his eight years as fire chief, Hackl’s leadership has had many successes. Among them include:

• Relocation and construction of Station No. 3 and Station No.5, to optimize response times throughout the community;
• Incident Command structure during the Humboldt bus tragedy;
• Vision and realization of a regional training facility for fire and emergency services;
• Collaboration with 50 community agencies to support the City of Saskatoon and residents through COVID-19;
• Proactive work related to homelessness using a whole-community approach, including community safety partnerships with Saskatoon Police Service, community-based organizations and other levels of government;
• Partnership with Saskatchewan Health Authority to establish the Overdose Outreach Team pilot;
• Regional Emergency Management Organization involving multiple municipalities;
• Growing opportunities for youth through the FIRE Cadet program; and
• Creation and delivery of a four-year Strategic Plan.

Most recently, in September the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs recognized Hackl with the 2023 National Fire Chief of the Year Award for his work on community safety and well-being and for building partnerships.

City Manager Jeff Jorgenson said in the release that Chief Hackl’s most notable accomplishment is his ability to forge important partnerships and build relationships that engage all partners in problem solving and shared leadership. His influence has stretched across dozens of prominent organizations focused on health care, social services, education, community safety, and truth and reconciliation.

“The development of the regional training facility, establishing the Overdose Outreach Team, and Saskatoon Fire Department’s whole-community approach to safety and well-being are operational examples of Chief Hackl’s leadership,” he said. “It takes vision and courage to lead the way Chief Hackl does and as an organization we congratulate Chief Hackl on his much-deserved retirement.”

Hackl’s final day of service is yet to be finalized but is expected to occur before the end of March 2024.