The Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training Program provides students with the required knowledge, practical skills and appropriate attitudes to pursue a career as a firefighter.
The office of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) (www.oafc.on.ca) and the Office of Ontario Fire Marshall (OFM) (www.ofm.gov.on.ca/) developed the curriculum and have endorsed the delivery of this program by the College in cooperation with the Thunder Bay Fire & Rescue Services of Thunder Bay (THFRS).
The program provides well rounded training for aspiring firefighters that reflects a competency and occupational based curriculum designed to further the Ontario Fire Service professionalization process. The curriculum design is based on the need for the student to have specific academic preparation in order to pursue a career in the fire service field.
The three semester program offers the student a standardized curriculum of knowledge, skills and testing in simulated and controlled live fire training scenarios. Content will include, but is not limited to knowledge and skills in the following areas: basic fire science, fire suppression principles and practices, firefighter first responder emergency patient care, fire prevention/public education, and specialty modules such as confined space and environmental hazards.
Upon successful completion of the Pre-Service program the graduate will pursuit provincial testing from the Office of the Fire Marshal. Upon completion of the program and after securing employment with a fire services department, the firefighter may apply to the Ontario Fire College to receive the OFC Firefighter Certificate of Achievement.
Employment Opportunities:
Successful graduates will find employment opportunities in the following areas:
- Professional Firefighting
- Fire Prevention and Public Education
- Ministry of Natural Resources
- Private Fire Service
- Fire Inspection
- Volunteer Firefighter
Please note: A hiring municipality or fire department will have additional special requirements for those entering a career as a firefighter. Students wishing to pursue such careers should ensure they are familiar with the specific hiring and application requirements of the particular agency.
Admission Requirements:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (or equivalent) with courses from the College (C), University (U), University/College (U/C), or Open (O) preparation levels.
- or successful completion of Mature Student Assessment.
- or appropriate credits from Academic and Career Entrance.
Additional Courses Required: Grade 12 English (College or University Preparation), Grade 11 Mathematics (College or University Preparation), Grade 11 or 12 Biology (College or University Preparation), Grade 11 or 12 Chemistry (College or University Preparation)
Applicants who do not possess the necessary admission requirements (or equivalency) are encouraged to consider our Pre-Health Sciences Program which will provide the necessary preparation to apply to this program. Completion of the Pre-Health Sciences program does not guarantee admission to the Pre-Service Firefighter program in a subsequent year.
Other Requirements:
- Attend a compulsory orientation information session.
- Completion of “Health Assessment Form”.
- Completion and submission of a “Entry Immunization Form”.
- Valid and current
- Valid and current "Standard First Aid/Health Care Provider (HCP) CPR, Level C"
- Valid and current Standard First Aid Certificate.
- Recent and clear (no convictions) criminal records check.
(If you have been convicted of an offense under the criminal code for which you have not been pardoned, you may be unable to participate in field placements. Successful completion of a field placement is a requirement for graduation).
Note to Applicants:
In view of strenuous physical demands of the firefighter, it is strongly recommended that applicants acquire and maintain an advanced level of physical fitness including cardiovascular and upper body strength, prior to the start of the program. At the end of semester Two, a required level of fitness, though standardized testing, will be required for the student to continue in the program.
Students are strongly advised to have their visual acuity, colour vision and hearing assessed. A career in municipal fire services requires visual requirements of at least 20/30 in each eye without corrective lenses.
Students are also encouraged to investigate and ensure they are free of acrophobia and claustrophobia. A deficit in any of these areas may prevent securing employment in the fire services field.
Students are required to adhere to the code of conduct as found in the Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training Program Standards Manual that includes professionalism, integrity, reliability, punctuality, maturity and strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Students are advised that all competencies specified for this program must be met, and therefore, attendance in class, lab and field placement experience is essential.
1450 Nakina Drive, P.O. Box 398, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada P7C 4W1 [ 
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