Police, fire crews respond to people stranded in vehicles

The Saskatoon Fire Department is ready to use snowmobiles and ATVs to respond to calls of people stranded in vehicles across the city.

The Saskatoon Police Service said there were 22 calls of people stranded on Saskatoon streets as of 8 p.m., with dozens more expected through the night.

“We have crews here that are trained and we have equipment to get out and get some of this done, but we’re still recommending that people don’t travel. There have been a lot of road closures,” Battalion Chief Steve Brissaw said Sunday evening.

A Stranded Mobile Task Force consisting of officers and firefighters using trucks, ATVs and snowmobiles was activated to help police and fire crews navigate the changing terrain and get people out of their cars.

A release from the city reminded drivers to remain calm, stay in their vehicle and call 306-975-8300.

“Responders will be contacted and once they arrive arrangements will be made to get stranded individuals to a safe location,” the release stated.

Brissaw was expecting more and more calls to arrive with the snow not expected to let up until early Monday morning.

“Right now we’re kind of getting into the storm,” Brissaw said.

Meanwhile, other people in Saskatoon were putting out calls for assistance as well.

Brissaw couldn’t estimate how many vehicles were stranded around Saskatoon, but plenty of people were suddenly unable to get vehicles through intersections or even slight inclines on roads to force brief closures all over Saskatoon.

“Incidents are starting to occur where you’ve got snow to be removed and vehicles to be moved out of the way,” he said. “It’s just kind of getting started for us here.”