Program Overview

Emergency Services Fundamentals

Program Overview

The Emergency Services Fundamentals (EMSF) program, which is unique to Durham College, will provide you with fundamental skills required in many emergency service or health science careers. This pathway program focuses on communications, math, science, and other relevant topics that will prepare you for further studies in a related field such as, Paramedic, Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training, Police Foundations, Protection, Security and Investigation, 911 Emergency and Call Centre Communications or Practical Nursing. EMSF will also help familiarize you with college life and the workload required for success in your destination program.

Intakes and Availability

Admission Requirements

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

Are you missing admission requirements? We are here to help.

Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or math. Domestic applicants that are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s) i.e., Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.

DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on-campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:

• Grade 12 Math (MAP4C equivalent)
• Grade 12 English (ENG4C equivalent)
• Grade 11 Biology (SBI3C equivalent)
• Grade 12 Chemistry (SCH4C equivalent)

Tuition

• Year one domestic: $2,722 (CAD)
• Year one international: $15,309 (CAD)

Semester 1 Courses

Core Courses

• Mental Health for Emergency Responders (ADMH 1301)
• Communication Foundations (COMM 1100)
• APCO Public Safe Telecommunicator (EMCC 1100)
• Pre-Health Math I (MATH 1702)
• Diversity and Inclusion for First Responders (SOCI 1103)

Optional Courses (students choose two of the following)

• Pre-Health Biology I (BIOL 1700)
• Pre-Health Chemistry I (CHEM 1701)
• Canadian Criminal Justice System (LAWW 1108)
• Psychology (PSYC 1108)

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 the EMSF 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.

Tech Requirements

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

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: Emergency Services Fundamentals, 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.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE PARAMEDIC PROGRAM

EMSF students often have opportunities to volunteer during practical evaluations in the paramedic program. Students may act as patients or bystanders in various scenarios giving them insight into the paramedic program.

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, you will study:

• Communications
• Mathematics
• Addictions and mental health
• Ethics
• Law and civics
• Leadership
• Diversity and inclusion
• Health and fitness
• Fundamental computer applications
• Portfolio development and professional skills

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

• Courses in biology, chemistry, Canadian criminal justice, psychology, or security guard
• One to four credits that can be used toward diploma programs
• Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials certification
• Ontario Security Guard license

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.

Course Delivery

In person

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.

Costs

The fees below are estimates only based on information available at the time of publication, and do not include the cost of textbooks. There may be additional costs; however, not all courses require textbooks.

Finances shouldn’t be a barrier to you achieving your educational goals. DC’s Financial Aid and Awards office is here to help you navigate a number of financial aid programs to support your education.

Emergency Services Fundamentals Year 1 Costs