Carlyle’s Deputy Fire Chief becomes a director for the SVFFA

May 19, 2026, 2:22 pm
Stephanie Zoer

Rob Klassen has been a Deputy Fire Chief for Carlyle and the RM 63 Fire and Rescue department for 15 years.

Rob Klassen has dedicated his time to being a firefighter for the Carlyle and RM 63 Fire and Rescue department for the past 26 years. Born and raised in Estevan, he moved to Carlyle. He joined the fire department as a way to contribute to the town. He also wanted to learn and grow in his community.

In these 26 years, he has been the Deputy Fire Chief for 15 years off and on, but is now in the position. Klassen has been out on many calls during these years and did a seven-day journey up north to help with the fires last year.

During that time Klassen helped with hot spots near the town of Boville. When the fire threatened the community and then breached the town line, they helped with stopping the fires from taking buildings.

Having been in the department for so many years, he helps the younger members of the team to learn and grow, like he did when he first started. The Carlyle and RM 63 Fire department has 18 members presently.

Recently Klassen was nominated and sworn in to be a director on the Saskatchewan Volunteer Fire Fighters Association (SVFFA) covering the southeast. This is a huge area that expands from the Manitoba border and west to Weyburn. It includes Estevan and south to the United States border and north to Indian Head.

The SVFFA is an independent body that has 10 zone directors for the province. Klassen is in Zone 3. As director, Fire Chiefs and members from the departments can go to him with questions and concerns. In turn, Klassen will take these concerns to the board or the government to find out what the answer is.

Taken a few years ago on Highway 13 east of Manor, the Carlyle and RM 63 Fire and Rescue assisted with STARS when it needed to land on the highway.

With summer coming, dry conditions are already in place. Three quarters of the province is under extreme fire conditions. The northern parts of the province are looking good right now as they received a lot of snow and still have snow in some areas. Klassen said that these conditions can change quickly.

Temperature and humidity play a key role in fires. When temperatures are higher than humidity, the conditions are not good. Humidity needs to remain higher than the temperatures. Right now, 15 RMs are in the moderate to high conditions and people should take caution.

“I will be available for my departments and represent them in a positive way,” said Klassen.

“I look forward to working with the Chiefs throughout Saskatchewan,” he said.
“We will offer support through difficult times and access to training and courses.

"We are the voice for the volunteers.”