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  • Emergency Services Fundamentals

Emergency Services Fundamentals


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Credential
Ontario College Certificate
Location
Oshawa
OCAS Code
EMSF
Next Intake
September 2023
View all intakes
Faculty
Faculty of Health Sciences (HS)
Length
Two semesters
Delivery
More than 75% of this program is delivered in-person. Learn more.
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  • Overview
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Program Overview

The world of emergency services holds many career paths, and it may be difficult to know where to start. This two-semester program, which is unique to Durham College, will provide you with the fundamental and essential skills required in many emergency service or health science careers. Once you have a foundation, you will have a better idea of which path you would like to pursue, such as Paramedic, Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training, Police Foundations, Protection, Security and Investigation, 911 Emergency and Call Centre Communications or Practical Nursing. The program concentrates on communications, math, science, law and civics, ethics and other relevant topics that will prepare you for a post-secondary certificate or diploma program in a related emergency service or health science field. The program also serves to familiarize you with college life, and the workload required for success in your destination program.

Intakes and Availability

Date Domestic Availability International Availability
September 2023OpenClosedApply now
ProgramHighlights
  • Success Stories
  • Resources
  • Success Stories
  • Resources
DC paramedic students learn hands-on
DC students test their skills and collaborate in emergency simulation
Durham College 2023 Viewbook
Lead the way
2023 Viewbook
Read Now
Other Resources
  • Graduate Employment Report [PDF]
  • Attend a Program Information Webinar
  • Financial Aid Information
Pathways
Helping Others
Crisis Intervention

Admission Requirements

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
  • Grade 12 English (C or U)

Tuition

  • Year one domestic: $2,722 (CAD)
  • Year one international: $14,186 (CAD)

View full costs

Semester 1 Courses

Core Courses

  • Addictions & Mental Health (ADMH 1301)
  • Communication Foundations - Justice & Emergency Services (COMM 1805)
  • EMSF Ethics (ETHC 1307)
  • Practical Mathematics For Emergency Services (MATH 1314)

Optional Courses (students choose two of the following)

  • Psychology (PFP 102)
  • Canadian Criminal Justice System (PFP 101)
  • Fitness 1 (FITS 1301)
  • Pre-Health Chemistry I (CHEM 1701)
  • Pre-Health Biology I (BIOL 1700)

View all courses

Pathways
Pathways
Helping Others
Helping Others
Crisis Intervention
Crisis Intervention

Technology recommendations

To help students succeed in programs with remote learning requirements, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified minimum technology recommendations. While these are not program requirements, these suggestions will help ensure students have the right tools to support a quality remote learning experience.

View all recommendations

Career Options

As a graduate you will be prepared to pursue further studies in other emergency service programs. Pathway options are illustrated in the linked chart.

View all career options

Program Details

The two-semester EMSF program is designed for those interested in exploring post-secondary options in emergency services or preparing for a specific emergency services or health science diploma. To help you develop a strong academic foundation for success in a related college program, EMSF will concentrate on:

  • Communications
  • Mathematics
  • Addictions and mental health
  • Ethics
  • Law and civics
  • Leadership
  • Diversity and inclusion

In preparation for a post-secondary diploma program in a related field, your options also include:

  • Courses in biology, chemistry, physical fitness, or psychology
  • One to four credits that can be used toward diploma programs
  • Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials certification
  • Ontario Security Guard license
  • Portfolio development, such as Training for an Accessible Ontario

Please note: Admission to other programs is not guaranteed.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Recognize the economic, social, political and cultural variables which impact the law enforcement and emergency services sector.
  2. Apply computer skills and knowledge of information technology to support the role of law enforcement and emergency services providers.
  3. Work effectively with co-workers, supervisors, and other law enforcement and emergency services providers.
  4. Apply research skills to gather and interpret available information.
  5. Develop an education and career plan within the range of law enforcement and emergency services.
  6. Communicate basic mathematical knowledge required in the law enforcement and emergency services fields.
  7. Utilize appropriate vocabulary, terminology and communicate strategies necessary in the law enforcement and emergency services fields.
  8. Develop and implement ongoing effective strategies for personal and professional development.

Admission Requirements

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
  • Grade 12 English (C or U)

Courses

The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.

SEMESTER 1

Core Courses

  • Addictions & Mental Health (ADMH 1301)
  • Communication Foundations - Justice & Emergency Services (COMM 1805)
  • EMSF Ethics (ETHC 1307)
  • Practical Mathematics For Emergency Services (MATH 1314)

Optional Courses (students choose two of the following)

  • Psychology (PFP 102)
  • Canadian Criminal Justice System (PFP 101)
  • Fitness 1 (FITS 1301)
  • Pre-Health Chemistry I (CHEM 1701)
  • Pre-Health Biology I (BIOL 1700)

SEMESTER 2

Core Courses

  • Interpersonal & Group Dynamics (COMM 2326)
  • Introduction To Law/Civics (LAWC 1301)
  • Leadership (LEAD 1400)
  • Diversity and Inclusion for First Responders (SENT 1301)

Optional Courses (students choose two of the following)

  • Pre-Health Biology II (BIOL 2700)
  • Pre-Health Chemistry II (CHEM 2701)
  • APCO Public Safe Telecommunicator (DISP 1300)
  • Mathematics Applications To Health (MATH 1318)
  • Fitness I-PFP (PFP 110)
  • Security Guard (SECG 1300)
  • EMSF Skills Certifications (SKIL 2300)

Courses and course descriptions are subject to change. Please note that as a result of COVID-19 the 2023-2024 program of study may be modified to accommodate program delivery changes.

Course delivery

More than 75% of this program is delivered in-person.

The rest of the coursework will be delivered using hybrid, flexible or online formats. Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.

In-person:
Course is delivered in person, on campus within a classroom, lab, shop or studio.
Flexible:
Course is taught in one of DC’s technology-enabled learning classrooms and online at the same time. Students can choose to attend in-person or online.
Hybrid:
Part of the course is delivered online, remotely, and part is in-person on campus within a classroom, lab, shop or studio.
Online:
Fully remote course delivery.

Costs

Career Options

As a graduate you will be prepared to pursue further studies in other emergency service programs. Pathway options are illustrated in the linked chart.

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Qualified graduates can go on to take Durham College’s 911 Emergency and Call Centre Communications; Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training; Paramedic; Police Foundations; Protection, Security and Investigation or an allied health science program.

Through this program, you may also acquire:

  • Up to four credits that can be used towards diploma programs
  • Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials certification
  • Ontario Security Guard license

Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with a number of Canadian and international institutions.

Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.

Technology Recommendations

To help students have the best remote learning experience possible, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified technology recommendations for each program based on course needs and software requirements. While not required, students may want to consider these suggestions if they are purchasing a computer or laptop for the upcoming academic year.

Processor: i3
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 256GB SSD
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1
Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version)
Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter
Camera: Webcam/built-in camera
Internet connection

Questions regarding technology recommendations can be directed to the IT Service Desk  or the school office.

Experiential Learning

Project Lord Ridgeback

Project Lord Ridgeback (PLRB) is multi-disciplinary experiential learning exercise that simulates a local disaster. Interacting with actors who play victims, casualties, emotionally distressed persons and the elderly in a staged, choreographed event, students from a wide range of programs learn by acting and responding as they would in real emergencies. Subject matter experts design injects into disaster-related scenarios which simulate authentic workplace demands.

Following the mock disaster, students participate in follow up exercises to apply learning in mock court testimony, critical incident stress debrief, crime-scene lab work, and form completion specific to their program areas.

Student participants are from a wide range of DC programs including: Practical Nursing, Primary Care Paramedic, Police Foundations, Protection Security & Investigation, Paralegal, 911 Call Centre Communications, Advanced Law Enforcement and Investigations, Journalism Mass Media Program, Social Service Worker, Activation Co-ordination – Gerontology, Court Support Services.

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Land Acknowledgement

Durham College is situated on the traditional lands of the First Peoples of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. These lands are covered under the Williams Treaties and rest within the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to the Indigenous Peoples who care for and, through the treaty process, share the lands on which we live, learn, teach and prosper today.

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Oshawa Campus

2000 Simcoe St. N.
Oshawa, ON, Canada L1G 0C5

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1610 Champlain Avenue
Whitby, ON, Canada L1N 6A7

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