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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.
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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.
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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:
In preparation for a post-secondary diploma program in a related field, your options also include:
Please note: Admission to other programs is not guaranteed.
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.
Courses and course descriptions are subject to change. Please note that as a result of COVID-19 the 2022-23 program of study may be modified to accommodate program delivery changes.
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:
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.
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.
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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