Program Overview

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.

Students in this program will:

• Learn from curriculum based on the current National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) standards and recognized across North America.
• Apply practical skills in simulated and controlled live fire training scenarios on campus and at local fire training facilities.
• Be eligible to participate in the Ontario Fire Marshal and Emergency Management provincial firefighter testing to obtain certification, post graduation.

Intakes and Availability

Admission Requirements

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

Post-admission Requirements

• Rent Bunker Gear and purchase a Uniform Package and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from approved vendors.
• Provide proof of current Standard First Aid and CPR – Level C (minimum) Certification, valid for the duration of the program.
• Purchase black matte, leather CSA approved every day safety shoes to wear to all classes.

Tuition

• Year one domestic: $14,503 (CAD)

Semester 1 Courses

• Communication Foundations (COMM 1100)
• 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)
• Fire Fitness Management 1 (PHED 1100)

Career Options

• Professional firefighter
• Volunteer firefighter
• Hazardous material responder
• Medical attendant

Experiential Learning

Students will practice and progress in a controlled setting at various training facilities. Live fire exercises will enhance the student experience, including fire behavior and progression, vehicle fires, Class B fires, fire streams, and methods of interior fire attack.

Program Transfer, Degree Completion, and Additional Credentials

Qualified graduates can pursue Durham College's Fire Prevention & Technology 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 Canadian and international colleges and universities.

Tech Requirements

• 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

Entrance Award

The Whitby Fire and Emergency Services Inclusivity Excellence Award will be given to two racialized or economically challenged students from Whitby who have been accepted into this program.