Pre-service firefighter education & training Program

Credential Earned:	Ontario College Certificate
Program Length:	3 Semesters
Delivery:	Full-Time
Program Availability Status:	Open
Program Codes:	NORT-T085–PC Timmins

The Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training Program will prepare students for a career in fire-fighting, and features an on-campus live burn training facility to provide hands on practice for students in essential fire-fighting skills. This program provides applicants with the required knowledge and skills through vocational courses in fire fighting, generic skills and general education courses in order to enhance job performance as a firefighter. Students have the opportunity to consolidate and apply theoretical knowledge through lab and field placements within regional Fire Services.

*The Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs and the Office of the Fire Marshal through the Endorsement Review Board, endorses the standardized curriculum used in the Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training Program.

The Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) through the Endorsement Review Board (ERB) endorses the program content of the Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training Program. This curriculuum is based on the Ontario Fire Marshal's Ontario Standardized Curriculum for Firefighters (2008) which meets the body of knowledge and practical skills required to meet the job-related performance objectives specified in the Ontario Fire Services Firefighter Standards. Graduates of the Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training Program are eligible to write the OFM Provincial Firefighter Test.

The three semesters of this program are offered consecutively.

A dress code is in effect for all lab practice sessions and field placement activities. Students are required to purchase the student fire uniforms, crests, as well as basic personal fire boots and clothing items. Cost of additional supplies with required program textbooks is approximately $1,500.00. Fire turn-out gear will be provided by the College.

For program information:
emergencyservices@northern.on.ca

Employment Opportunities

Graduates of this program may obtain employment in industry, nuclear plants, natural resources-forest fire fighting services, airports, community firefighting services.

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
Grade 12 English (C, U)
Grade 11 or Grade 12 Biology (C, U)
Grade 11 or Grade 12 Chemistry (C, U)
Note: Grade 11 Math (C, M, U) or Grade 12 (C or U) is mandatory for Pre-Service Firefighter students who plan on enrolling in a Fire Education-to-Paramedic bridging program.

Note: Northern College does not offer testing for the science equivalencies.

Or equivalent.

Or mature student status (an applicant who does not have a high school diploma or equivalent, and will have reached the age of 19 years on or before the start of the program). Mature students must undergo academic testing prior to admission into a program. Call the Admissions Office at 705-235-7222 for more details.

Note: Academic prerequisites for this program may be obtained free of charge through Academic Upgrading. Refer to the Postsecondary Preparation section in this calendar for more details.

Additional Admission Requirements

• Ontario Class ‘G’ driver’s licence recommended. It is also recommended that students attain a Class DZ driver’s licence by program completion. Class DZ driver’s licence is a prerequisite to employment in the fire services.
• Current Basic Cardiac Life Support Certificate (C.P.R. - HP content) (Must be obtained prior to the start of the program.)
• Standard First Aid Certificate, or equivalent. (Must be obtained prior to the start of program.)
• Physician’s medical report as per guide supplied by the College; immunization record including Hepatitis B; 2-step Mantoux (with follow-up chest x-ray if the T.B. test is positive).
  

Many fire service employers are implementing the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Standard as their applicant medical requirements. This standard covers the fire department physical and medical evaluation process and provides in-depth information that will be of assistance in determining if those interested in a career in firefighting meet the medical criteria for employment. The NFPA Standard is available on-line here

Candidates for the program must be free of criminal offences in order to be allowed in the field setting. An unpardoned criminal record will result in inability to participate in clinical practice courses and will prevent the student from graduating.

A recent criminal reference/vulnerable sector check – (within 3 months) is required prior to the end of the first week of classes in September. Any costs for these checks will be the responsibility of the applicant.

Applicant Selection Criteria

Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available spaces in the program, the Applicant Selection Criteria will be:

• A. Permanent Residents of Ontario.
• B. Receipt of Application by February 1st.
• C. Achievement in the Required Academic Preparation*

Note: Grade and course requirements are used in the selection process. If applicants are enrolled in Grade 12 required subjects (as indicated above), in the second semester (February to June), grade 11 marks will be used to assess admission eligibility.

Fees and Equipment

All Pre-Service Firefighter students must take part in a mandatory two-day orientation session the first week of September.

Students must purchase personal items of bunker gear apparel (gloves and balaclava, bunker boots, work boots and uniforms – approximately $500 which is included in the $1,500 overall estimate for additional course supplies/texts.

Program of Studies

Fall Semester
PR2022 Crisis Intervention II
PR1020 Focus on Fitness
CM1903 Communications I – Model A
MA1053 Mathematics Fundamentals I
FF1021 Introduction to Fire Service
FF1031 Fire Behaviour and Chemistry of Combustion / Building Construction
FF1024 Fire Ground Operations I
FF1034 Fire Ground Operations I Firefighter Practice and Testing
FF1022 Emergency Patient Care I
FF1041 Emergency Patient Care Practice and Testing

Winter Semester
MA2053 Mathematics Fundamentals II
PR2026 Focus on Fitness
FF2016 Education and Fire Prevention in the Community
FF2024 Fire Ground Operations II
FF2011 Environmental Protection and Rescue I
FF2034 Fire Ground Operations II Firefighter Practice and Testing
FF2032 Advanced Emergency Patient Care (Elective)
FF2021 Advanced Emergency Patient Care Practice and Testing (Elective)
EL1003 (Elective) – to be announced

Spring Semester
FF3017 Environmental Protection and Rescue II
FF3116 Pre-Graduate Experience