Firefighter – Pre-Service Education and Training

Program Overview

Firefighters are trained professionals who work within a team in fire suppression, attending accidents and emergencies in your communities and focus on educating the public in fire safety. A career firefighter is recognized as a responsible, caring, and brave professional who is well-trained in dealing with emergencies calmly and patiently, while enduring difficult situations. Sounds a lot like a job description for a real-life superhero – 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.

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
Grade 12 English (C or U)
Grade 11 mathematics (C, M or U)

AND one of the following sciences:

Grade 11 or 12 biology (C, M or U)
Grade 11 or 12 chemistry (C, M or U)
Grade 11 physics (C, M or U)
Grade 11 or 12 exercise science (C, M or U)

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Tuition

Year one domestic: $11,674 (CAD)

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Semester 1 Courses

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Community Service

Hands-On Training

Live Fire Training

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

Intakes and Availability

Date	Domestic Availability	International Availability
September 2022	Open	Closed

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Professional firefighter
Volunteer firefighter
Hazardous material responder
Medical attendant

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Program Details

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 the Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training program, students will be eligible to participate in the Ontario Fire Marshal and Emergency Management provincial firefighter testing to obtain certification in the following:

NFPA 1001 Firefighter I
NFPA 1001 Firefighter II
NFPA 1072 Hazardous Materials Awareness
NFPA 1072 Hazardous Materials Operations

Program Learning Outcomes

Begin the department orientation and the first year of employment with a solid theoretical base and practical skills in content, providing the successful graduate with knowledge and skills in the following areas: basic fire science, fire suppression principles and practices, firefighter emergency patient care, fire prevention/public education, and specialty modules such as confined space and environmental hazards.
Apply generic skills reflecting the beginning competencies required of the recruit or new volunteer in areas of content, providing the successful graduate with knowledge and skills in the following areas: basic fire science, fire suppression principles and practices, firefighter emergency patient care, fire prevention/public education, and specialty modules such as confined space and environmental hazards.
Develop the necessary vocational, general education, and generic skills to promote lifelong learning, and career path potential in a career that usually lasts a lifetime.
Begin the initial steps in the professionalization process as a new recruit in order to meet the ethical, legal, and safety requirements inherent in professional practice.
Describe and safely use fire department apparatus, tools and equipment.
Demonstrate safe practices and techniques.
Communicate effectively verbally, non-verbally and in writing using common fire service terminology.
Interact appropriately in a wide variety of interpersonal situations in emergency and non-emergency settings.
Demonstrate critical thinking skills.
Interact effectively in the community with its representation from a variety of multicultural and social economic backgrounds.
Demonstrate knowledge of how to work effectively with other members of the fire service team, emergency patient care team and related groups.

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
Grade 12 English (C or U)
Grade 11 mathematics (C, M or U)

AND one of the following sciences:

Grade 11 or 12 biology (C, M or U)
Grade 11 or 12 chemistry (C, M or U)
Grade 11 physics (C, M or U)
Grade 11 or 12 exercise science (C, M or U)

Please note: This program may be highly competitive and have a specific selection process and application deadline. Please refer to Admission Process es for details regarding highly competitive programs.

Post-admission requirements:

Purchase Durham College approved Uniform and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and pay rental fee for Bunker Gear that is a mandatory requirement in order to participate in the program. Please click on COSTS for more information.
Provide proof of current Standard First Aid and CPR – Level C (minimum) Certification, that must remain valid for the duration of the program.

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

Semester 2

Semester 3

Fire Ground Practical III (FGP 3400)

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.

Costs

Personal Equipment

Further details regarding the items below will be communicated directly to confirmed students following the deposit deadline. Prices shown are anticipated costs and may be subject to change

Bunker gear Students are required to rent Bunker gear through the approved program supplier	Payment of the rental fee ($649+HST) is due in August.
Students are required to purchase program uniforms as well as personal protective equipment to meet the occupational health and safety requirements of the practicum and live fire components of the program.
Personal Protective Equipment Includes: Helmet Flash hood Firefighter gloves Rubber fire boots Equipment bag	Approximately $800.00+HST
Station wear/uniforms Tactical style shirt x 2 Tactical style pants x 2 Program t-shirt x 2 Firefighter belt x 1	Approximately $278.00+HST
Black ‘green-patch’ matte police style boots (approximately $175.00 to $260.00+HST) may be purchased from any outside vendor (ISECO, Marks Work Wearhouse, Mr. Safety Shoe, etc.)
Standard First Aid/CPR C Certification is required and must remain valid for the duration of the program.	Approximately $125.00+HST

PROGRAM COSTS

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Professional firefighter
Volunteer firefighter
Hazardous material responder
Medical attendant

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

Industrial fire services
Municipal fire services
Safety services

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Qualified graduates can go on to take Durham College’s Fire and Life Safety Systems Technician program or 911 Emergency and Call Centre Communications program.

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.

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: i7
RAM: 16GB
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

Students will be given the opportunity to practice and progress in a controlled setting at a variety of training facilities. Live fire exercises will further enhance the student experience, including but not exclusive to: fire behavior and progression, vehicle fires, Class B fires, fire streams and methods of interior fire attack.

Contact

For more information contact, Treina Kennington, field placement co-ordinator.

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.

Related programs

Pre-Service Firefighting candidates can improve their professional portfolio with the addition of the Fire & Life Safety Systems Technician diploma. Strengthen your fire safety credentials by acquiring knowledge of codes, legislation, fire safety planning and fire safety systems. This program has an exceptionally high hire rate and offers students professional designations which allow graduates to work on and maintain fire protection systems.

Firefighter – Pre-Service Education and Training

Program Overview

Admission Requirements

AND one of the following sciences:

Tuition

Semester 1 Courses

Technology recommendations

Intakes and Availability

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Program Details

Program Learning Outcomes

Admission Requirements

AND one of the following sciences:

Post-admission requirements:

Courses

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Costs

Personal Equipment

PROGRAM COSTS

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Technology Recommendations

Experiential Learning

Contact

Project Lord Ridgeback

Related programs

Firefighter – Pre-Service Education and Training in the news

Helpful Resources

Have a Question? Attend a Program Information Webinar

Financial Aid Information

Graduate Employment Report [PDF]

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