Pre-service Firefighter Education and Training

Description

Immersed in a dynamic and challenging learning environment, students develop the ability to perform the duties of a firefighter. Through a blend of both theoretical and hands-on experience, students develop skills and knowledge of fire dynamics, building construction, fire suppression principles and practice, personal protective equipment, emergency medical response and fire prevention and public education. Students also explore theoretical concepts and safety considerations in technical rescue disciplines such as confined space, water and ice water rescue, rope rescue, and trench rescue. 

The Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training program meets the following National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards:

• NFPA 1001 Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications: Firefighter I and Firefighter II
• NFPA 1072 Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents
• NFPA 1035 Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire and Life Safety Educator Level I 

Career Opportunities

Successful graduates may find employment opportunities in the following areas:

• professional firefighting
• volunteer fire service
• fire prevention and public education
• private fire service
• Ministry of Natural Resources
• military firefighting
• private emergency response companies

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. explain fire suppression and special rescue operations to support public safety and protect individuals; 
2. discuss fire prevention strategies to reduce fire risks and enhance public awareness; 
3. comply with all applicable regulations, legislation, and ethical standards to ensure personal and public safety; 
4. use personal protective equipment and follow operating guidelines to ensure team safety and efficiency during firefighting operations; 
5. manage emergency response communications using the terminology required to communicate during fire service operations; 
6. interact professionally and sensitively with diverse community members in emergency and non-emergency situations to provide information and assistance; 
7. troubleshoot and respond to emergency and non-emergency situations to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals and the community; 
8. collaborate with fire service, pre-hospital care providers, and other teams to deliver coordinated medical response care in emergency and non-emergency situations; 
9. operate fire department apparatus, tools, and equipment to maintain safety and support firefighting operations; 
10. develop and apply strategies for personal, career, and professional development to enhance work performance and maintain currency with industry standards; 
11. engage in and support community initiatives to foster resilience, enhance community well-being, and drive positive social impact; 
12. follow and adopt sustainable practices in environmental protection during firefighting operations to protect property and safeguard individuals. 

External Recognition

The Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) endorses the content of this curriculum.

Program Progression 

The following reflects the planned progression for full-time offerings of the program.

Fall Intake 

• Sem 1: Fall 2026
• Sem 2: Winter 2027
• Sem 3: Summer 2027

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature student status
• Grade 12 English (C or U)
• Grade 12 Mathematics (C or U)

Mature students, non-secondary school applicants (19 years or older), and home school applicants may also be considered for admission. Eligibility may be met by applicants who have taken equivalent courses, upgrading, completed their GED, and equivalency testing. For complete details refer to: www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/academic-regulations/

Applicants who have taken courses from a recognized and accredited post-secondary institution and/or have relevant life/learning experience may also be considered for admission; refer to the Credit for Prior Learning website for details:
www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/

Selection Process

This is a highly competitive program. Applicants will be assessed and ranked based on academic grades. The overall minimum GPA is determined annually.

Criminal Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check

Placement agencies require an up-to-date clear criminal reference check and vulnerable sector check prior to going out on placement. Students should obtain their criminal reference three months prior to placement; checks conducted earlier may not be considered current. As some jurisdictions require longer lead-time for processing, please check with the program coordinator to ensure you allow for sufficient turn-around time. It is the student's responsibility to provide the completed document prior to placement start.

NOTE: A record of criminal offences, for which a pardon has not been granted, may prevent students from completing their placements, thereby affecting their ability to graduate.

Additional Information

Police record check 

Pre-service firefighter students are required to provide a current police check from a recognized police service before the start of their program. Individuals who have been charged or convicted criminally and not pardoned, will have limited participation in volunteer opportunities with local fire services, community organizations, and may have difficulty gaining employment as a firefighter. 

Applicants must have a Standard First Aid and CPR Level C certification prior to beginning the program. Students are required to submit a copy of the certificate prior to program start.

Applicants are expected to attend a group orientation session prior to the beginning of the first semester in September or January semesters.

Physical fitness

Students must be physically fit to participate. Students must successfully pass the Georgian College medical screening test. A medical clearance form must be completed by a physician prior to semester 1. A waiver and informed consent indicating the ability to perform the physical fitness and physical duties is required for firefighter training. During the orientation process students will be required to confirm that they are not affected by acrophobia (fear of heights) and claustrophobia (fear of confined space). If you are unsure of your health status or phobias, you should consult your doctor prior to entering the program as these may preclude you from gaining employment in firefighting.

Special considerations

The fire service has very specific standards for vision and hearing requirements. Although not a requirement of the program, students should understand that the below vision and hearing standards are a requirement for employment as a firefighter. 

Vision: NFPA 1582 outlines the vision and hearing requirements firefighter candidates must meet. Minimum requirement for visual acuity is 20/30 corrected or 20/40 uncorrected, both eyes tested together. There are additional minimum requirements regarding refractive surgery farsightedness (hyperopia), colour vision, depth perception and peripheral vision. No marked degree of color blindness is permitted. 

Hearing requirements are normal unaided hearing at frequencies of 500 to 4000 Hz measured by audiometer. Devices to assist hearing are not permitted. 

A hiring municipality or fire department may have additional special requirements for those entering a career as a firefighter. Students wishing to pursue such careers should ensure that they will be able to meet the physical and educational requirements before enrolling.

Medical requirements

Firefighting possesses a unique set of medical requirements in order to be hired. Although each service may have specific requirements (which you should research), there are general guidelines within Ontario. We highly suggest that you ensure that you can meet these requirements before entering into the program.

View full details regarding medical requirements. 

Graduation Requirements

21 Program Courses
1 Communications Course

Graduation Eligibility

To graduate from this program, a student must attain a minimum of 70% for each theoretical fire course and a letter grade of P (Pass) for each practical Fire course. 

To graduate from non-fire courses in the program, the passing weighted average for promotion through each semester, and to graduate is 60%. Additionally, a student must attain a minimum of 50% or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each course in each semester unless otherwise stated on the course outline.

Program Tracking

The following reflects the planned course sequence for full-time offerings of the Fall intake of the program. Where more  than one intake is offered  contact the program co-ordinator for the program tracking.

Plan of Study Grid

Semester 1		Hours
Program Courses
FIRE 1070	Fire Protection Systems and Public Education	42
FIRE 1099	Introduction to the Fire Service	42
FIRE 1100	Firefighter Fitness 1	42
FIRE 1101	Fire Techniques 1 Theory	42
FIRE 1102	Fire Techniques 1 Practical	84
FIRE 1103	Hazardous Materials Theory	42
FIRE 1117	Fire Ground Operations 1	14
Communications Courses
Select 1 course from the communications list during registration.		42
	Hours	350
Semester 2
Program Courses
FIRE 1104	Firefighter Fitness 2	42
FIRE 1107	Fire Techniques 2 Theory	42
FIRE 1108	Fire Techniques 2 Practical	84
FIRE 1109	Hazardous Materials Practical	42
FIRE 1110	Incident Management System and Communication	42
FIRE 1118	Fire Ground Operations 2	42
FIRE 1119	Emergency Medical Responder 1	42
	Hours	336
Semester 3
Program Courses
FIRE 1111	Fire Safety Inspections	42
FIRE 1112	Fire Techniques 3	42
FIRE 1114	Career Preparation	42
FIRE 1115	Technical Rescue Awareness	42
FIRE 1116	Vehicle Rescue and Extrication	42
FIRE 1120	Emergency Medical Responder 2	42
FIRE 1121	Fire Ground Operations 3	42
	Hours	294
	Total Hours	980

Graduation Window

Students unable to adhere to the program duration of one year (as stated above) may take a maximum of two years to complete their credential. After this time, students must be re-admitted into the program, and follow the curriculum in place at the time of re-admission.

Disclaimer: The information in this document is correct at the time of publication. Academic content of programs and courses is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational objectives and employment market needs. 

Program outlines may be subject to change in response to emerging situations, in order to facilitate student achievement of the learning outcomes required for graduation. Components such as courses, progression, coop work terms, placements, internships and other requirements may be delivered differently than published.