Whitby Fire and Emergency Services Inclusivity Excellence Award

Durham College (DC) is proud to partner with the Town of Whitby on an exciting new opportunity for students: the Whitby Fire and Emergency Services Inclusivity Excellence Award.

Two awards will be awarded annually to racialized or economically challenged students who have been accepted into the Firefighter- Pre-Service Education and Training (regular and compressed stream) or Fire Prevention and Technology programs. The award covers first-semester tuition. It does not cover program fees, textbooks, equipment, ancillary fees, or living expenses.

The award is available to Durham Region residents who graduated from a Durham Region high school, with preference given to residents who graduated from a Whitby high school.

Timeline

January 2026 start
Firefighter – Pre-Service Education and Training (compressed) program

• September 2, 2025 – Applications Open
• November 7, 2025 – Applications Close
• December 1, 2025 – Successful recipients contacted

September 2026 start
Firefighter – Pre-Service Education and Training program
Fire Prevention and Technology program

• March 16, 2026 – Applications Open
• May 1, 2026 – Applications Close
• June 1, 2026 – Successful recipients contacted

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Students are eligible to apply if they meet the following criteria:

• Are a new student enrolled in the Firefighter - Pre-Service Education and Training program OR the Fire Prevention and Technology program.
• Self-identify as a racialized person OR are economically challenged.
• Are Durham Region residents who graduated from a Durham Region high school.