Firefighters take responsibility for things many people wouldn’t want to carry on their shoulders including saving lives, homes, buildings, schools and churches and protecting the environment. Sounds a lot like a job description for a real-life super hero – are you ready to apply?
A compressed version of this program is also available, which sees students complete the program in two consecutive semesters. Please see www.durhamcollege.ca/PFEF.
The program will provide you with the knowledge and practical skills required to become a firefighter. The curriculum is based on the current National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) standards and is recognized across North America.
The course is delivered in a professional model and all program participants will be required to adopt the professional standards of behaviour required of a modern day firefighter. Applicants are advised to participate in after-class hours since self-study is an essential component for success.
Note: All competencies specified for this program must be met therefore attendance in class, lab and off-site practicums is a requirement for success.
The program will consist of a heavy classroom component progressing to practical application. You will apply your practical skills in simulated and controlled live fire training scenarios on campus and at local fire training facilities. You will also receive assistance in preparations for the hiring process.
Upon successful completion of this program, you will be eligible to take the exams for NFPA 1001 and 1002 (Firefighter 1 and 2) as well as the NFPA 1072 (Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations). All exams are administered by the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshall and Emergency Management.
Please note: This program may be highly competitive and have a specific selection process and application deadline. For more information, please contact recruitment@durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.3126. Please refer to Admission Processes for more details regarding highly competitive programs.
Post-admission requirements:
Purchase Durham College approved Uniform, Equipment and Bunker Gear that is a mandatory requirement in order to participate in the program, please see the Bunker Gear Information Sheet under Helpful Downloads
Attend a Mandatory Pre-Service Firefighter Program Orientation Session a minimum of two months prior to the start of the program. At this Orientation Session you will be provided with an opportunity to meet with the three vendors who supply the Uniform, Equipment and Bunker Gear for this program to receive your professional fittings, make your payment and place your order
Obtain a Criminal Background Check (no convictions) with Vulnerable Sector Screening. Clear record checks are required for off-site practicums
Provide proof of current First Aid Certification that must remain current for the length of the program
Provide proof of current Canadian Heart & Stroke Foundation CPR Certification with a minimum of Level C
Please note if you have been convicted for an offense under the criminal code for which you have not been pardoned, you may be unable to participate in off-site practicums, a requirement of graduation.
Courses
Semester 1
Communication Foundations - Justice & Emergency Services (COMM 1805)
Fundamental Communication Skills (COMM 1810)
Fire Behaviour And Ground Operation I (FBGO 1400)
Fire Ground Practical I (FGP 1400)
Fire Prevention & Public Education (FPPE 1400)
Fire Emergency Patient Care I (PCE 1401)
Semester 2
Fire Ground Operations 2 (FGO 2400)
Fire Ground Practical 2 (FGP 2400)
Fire Fitness Management (FITS 2400)
Fire Community Services (FSER 2400)
Hazardous Materials (HAZA 2400)
Fire Emergency Patient Care II (PCE 2400)
Semester 3
Fire Ground Practical III (FGP 3400)
Courses and course descriptions are subject to change.
Costs
YEAR ONE FEES
Domestic
Tuition
$11,674
Compulsory Ancillary
$1,844
Program Incidental
$0
Total Fees:
$13,518
Personal Equipment
You will be required to purchase personal equipment and uniforms to meet the occupational health and safety requirements of the practicum and live fire components of the program. With the exception of personal boots, all items will be available for purchase during the mandatory program orientation sessions.
Bunker gear
$1866.00 plus applicable taxes.
Used gear will be available at the orientation session and there will be opportunity to sell back.
Personal Protective Equipment
Helmet
Flash hood
Firefighter gloves
Rubber fire boots
Equipment bag
$800.00 plus applicable taxes
Station wear
Tactical style shirt x 2
Tactical style pants x 2
Program t-shirt x 2
Firefighter belt x 2
$264.00
Black green patch matte police style boots ($80.00 to $260.00) may be purchased from any outside vendor (ISECO, Marks Work Wearhouse, Mr. Safety Shoe, etc.)
Please note: fees are based on the 2019-2020 academic year and do not include textbooks. For more information please
see
Other fees to consider.
Career Options
WHAT YOU COULD BE:
Fire alarm technician
Fire ranger
Firefighter
Hazardous material technician
Medical attendant
Volunteer firefighter
WHERE YOU COULD WORK:
Industrial fire services
Municipal fire services
Safety services
Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials
Graduates may also be eligible to apply their academic credits toward further study through Durham College’s partnerships with many Canadian and international colleges and universities. Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.
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.
The day 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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