Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training

Select start date and campus

Applying as a Canadian applicant

Domestic students should apply online or by phone at 1-888-892-2228. For more information, visit Applying to Conestoga.

Applying as an International applicant

International students should apply online. Note: not all programs are open to international students.

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Admissions - September 2022

Admission requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or 19 years of age or older with mature student status (See Mature Student definition for details.)
Grade 12 compulsory English, C or U, or equivalent, OR Conestoga College Preparatory Communications (COMM1250), or equivalent
Grade 11 or 12 Math, C or U, OR Conestoga College Preparatory Mathematics for Applied Arts and Community Services (MATH1215)
One Science: Grade 11 or 12 Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Exercise Science, C or U, or Grade 11 or 12 Science (SNC3M) or (SNC4M) or equivalent, OR Conestoga College Preparatory Chemistry (SCIE1030) or Biology (SCIE1010)
For more information on preparatory programs, visit Academic Upgrading

Note re: admission requirements

Applicants with degrees completed in countries in which English is not an official language will be required to provide test scores as evidence of their English language proficiency. Test scores, if required, would be a minimum of iBT TOEFL Reading 24, Listening 24, Speaking 27, Writing 27; IELTS Academic Listening: 7, Reading: 7, Writing: 7, Speaking: 7; or equivalent scores in other recognized standard tests of English.

Canadian admissions contact

admissions@conestogac.on.ca

International admissions contact

internationaladmissions@conestogac.on.ca

Admission procedures

An academic strength is calculated by averaging the submitted marks of required subjects. If more than one mark is received for a required subject, the highest mark will be used in the calculation.
Ten (10) additional marks are added to each Advanced level, OAC, U, U/C, and post-secondary course used in the calculation of academic strength.

Program requirements

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.
Students are strongly advised to have visual acuity, colour vision and hearing assessed, and to ensure they are free of acrophobia and claustrophobia. A deficit in any of these areas may prevent securing employment in the fire service.
Students are required to adhere to the code of conduct as found in the Pre-Service Firefighter Program Handbook. This includes the need to exhibit professionalism, integrity, reliability, punctuality, maturity and strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Students are advised that all competencies specified for this program must be met; therefore, attendance in classes, labs and off-campus learning experiences is essential.
This program involves an additional supply cost of approximately $900 for the program uniform and related items.

Pre-Workplace-Integrated Learning (WIL) FAQ

You are taking the first steps to becoming a professional through your program at Conestoga College.

Realizing your vision of having a high-performing career in your field of choice requires that you start your program having met the document requirements that are mandatory for new employees in your field. The WIL document requirements that are mandatory for your program can be found in the Student Portal under the Services tab (scroll down the page and select the Login to H.S.Trax button).

As a future professional in your chosen career, you may need to be able to demonstrate that:

You have a clear police check for vulnerable persons. This is the first implication for you of provincial regulations governing work in health care and community service organizations.
Your immunizations are current for your safety and the safety of people in your care.
Your TB status is known and allows you to work safely with others and that you will have baseline information for yourself should you encounter a person with TB in the workplace.
You have a current First Aid and CPR certificate (at the level appropriate to your career), so that you can be a resource to persons in need.
You have been respirator fit tested so that you will be ready to work safely in the event of an infectious situation.

Your program includes a WIL experience in your course of studies. Employers request that you have met the above requirements before you come to their organization. Upon registering for your program, you will receive a welcome email from the WIL Document Services Team. Included will be an attachment with instructions for accessing the H.S.Trax Community and your program's WIL Document Requirements forms.

Most importantly, your plan to be a graduate and embark on your chosen career depends on completing this WIL experience - we do not want these plans to end because you failed to meet the above requirements.

The WIL Document Requirements Passport is proof to the college and WIL employers that you have met the pre-WIL document requirements.
This document ensures that you have met the WIL document requirements expected of individuals providing care or service in each organization.
You may be asked to show your WIL Document Requirements Passport to a WIL site as proof of having met their requirements.

If you cannot complete the WIL course(s) of your program, you will not be able to graduate from the program.

Each program has a specific due date to allow for processing prior to the WIL experience. Your requirements due date is indicated in your program's WIL Document Requirements package, located in the H.S.Trax Community.
You must start completing your program specific WIL document requirements as soon as you registered for your program, as it may take you six to twelve weeks to complete.

Refer to the requirements package located within the H.S.Trax Community.
Make arrangements to complete requirements based on Forms A, B, C, D, E (with your doctor, health care professional or other service providers).
Note: Not all programs require all forms to be completed. See your Welcome Letter/checklist for your program requirements.
Keep all original supporting documentation for your records.
As you complete a form requirement, submit all documentation online only, through the document submission tool in the H.S.Trax Community. Note: We strongly encourage you to submit forms as they are completed, rather than as one completed package, to allow ample time for review and follow up as needed.

Visit your local police service and request a Vulnerable Sector Police Record Check prior to the pre-WIL document requirements deadline for your program. There is a cost associated with this service and that is the responsibility of the student. Note: This request may take up to 12 weeks.
If you live in an area that is serviced by the OPP, please contact WIL Document Services for the required form (WILdocumentservices@conestogac.on.ca or 519-748-5220, ext. 3101).
For Niagara Police Services, please contact WIL Document Services for the required form ( WILdocumentservices@conestogac.on.ca or 519-748-5220, ext. 3101).
For Toronto Police Services, you will require the Toronto Consent to Disclosure form; please contact WIL Document Services for the required form ( WILdocumentservices@conestogac.on.ca or 519-748-5220, ext. 3101).
To be eligible for WIL experience(s), you must not have been convicted of any criminal offence for which you have not been pardoned. If your police check is not clear due to an offence that is criminal in nature, you are advised to meet with the Program Chair for academic counselling to determine program suitability and WIL eligibility. Offences under the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of Canada:
- laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-46/
- laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-38.8/

Depending on your specific program WIL Document Requirements, you may be asked for proof of immunization, laboratory blood test results and non-medical requirements as per below: (if applicable)

Measles/mumps/rubella (MMR)
Varicella/chickenpox
Hepatitis B
Tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Tdap)
Polio
Tuberculin testing (TB)
Influenza vaccine
COVID-19
Mask fit testing
Please bring your Immunization form (Form B) with you when you get your vaccinations so that your physician/health care professional can sign off on the form directly.

Your program may also have a requirement for a current certification in CPR/First Aid.

Standard First Aid
CPR level C or BLS (depending on program of study)
Respiratory Therapy students – see Form D for specific information on ACLS certification

The workforce in health care organizations or persons who are providing care are required to complete respirator fit testing. It is recommended that you complete testing at the college, as we ensure to fit test you based on the mask(s) applicable to your WIL site/facility. Additional information about this requirement will be provided at your program orientation should not be completed until your WIL site has been confirmed.

If laboratory reports are required or if immunizations are not complete, it could take six to twelve weeks.
TB testing cannot be completed for 30 days after a live vaccine (MMR, Varicella) or COVID-19 vaccine. Please complete TB testing first to avoid delays in completing other requirements
Note: The RCMP has also set new mandates that can possibly prolong your wait time in receiving your criminal reference check. If your date of birth and gender match another individual in the Sex Offender database, your fingerprints will be required to complete your check. If flagged it will take up to 120 days to receive your Vulnerable Sector check. There will also be an extra cost charged by the police agency to obtain fingerprints.

This may be completed at your doctor’s office, at a local urgent care or walk-in clinic, or through your local public health unit. Please note: The TB test cannot be completed for 30 days after a measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), varicella (chickenpox), or COVID-19 shot.
Please bring your Immunization form (Form C) with you when you get your TB test so that your health care professional can sign off on the form directly.

You may take the required courses through Conestoga.
Conestoga offers a discounted student rate for Standard First Aid and CPR through Red Cross. To receive the discounted student rate, you must complete the part-time registration form for course HEAL1400, HEAL1410, or HEAL1420 and mail to the registrar’s office or register in person at the registrar’s office. The discounted student rate will NOT be applied if you register online. Contact ce-hlscs@conestogac.on.ca for more information.
If you take the First Aid course(s) from another provider, please ensure that it is the appropriate level course (minimum Standard First Aid) and was completed no earlier than four months prior to the start of your program.
Ensure your CPR course and certification document indicates the correct CPR level (C or BLS).
After you complete the requirement, submit the documentation online only, through the document submission tool in the H.S. Trax Community.

Once your program coordinator or placement officer has advised you of your WIL site, the WIL Document Services team will reach out to you via email with clinic dates/times.

Conestoga College's WIL nurse technologist reviews your confidential medical information. The WIL nurse technologist can answer any questions you may have about the health requirements and testing, as well as provide direction when medical requirements results are unclear or do not meet documentation requirements. WIL Document Services will only release a clear or not clear status to Conestoga. The college requires your status for WIL planning purposes. All other information is kept confidential.

Submit all documentation online only, through the document submission tool in the H.S. Trax Community. Students should submit each requirement as they are completed. Do not wait for all your requirements to be completed.
The online document submission tool can be found in the H.S. Trax Community, accessible via the Services tab in the Student Portal.
Each WIL Document Requirement form will have a category to upload documents.

The cost of completing the requirements is the responsibility of the student entering the program.

Costs will be dependent upon each student's needs. Doctor notes, x-rays, laboratory blood work report and immunization may be free of charge or a charge applied by your doctor's office; this is up to your doctor and NOT the college.
Your invoice from Conestoga will contain a fee for the services provided by the school to certify that you have met these requirements and to provide you with a WIL Document Requirements Passport for your records.

If some information is missing from your forms, you will be notified at your college email account. You must complete the missing information and resubmit documents prior to your WIL experience.

Your program coordinator or placement officer will assign students to their WIL experience based on clearance of all WIL Document Requirements. Students will not be eligible for WIL experience until you have a clear status.

The WIL document requirements for your program are available in the H.S. Trax Community, accessible via the Services tab in the Student Portal. Please contact the WIL Document Services office at WILdocumentservices@conestogac.on.ca or 519-748-5220, ext. 3101 for more information.

Pathways and credit transfer

Conestoga pathways enable students to build on their academic achievements in order to earn a degree or additional credential. Pathways are formed through agreements between Conestoga programs or partner institutions. View transfer agreement opportunities for this program.

Often applicants have earned credits from another college or university that may allow a student to be granted advanced standing or exemption. Learn more about credit transfer opportunities at Conestoga.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

Conestoga recognizes prior learning of skills, knowledge or competencies that have been acquired through employment, formal and informal education, non-formal learning or other life experiences. Prior learning must be measurable at the required academic level and meet Conestoga standards of achievement. Challenge exams and portfolio development are the primary methods of assessment. Other methods of assessment may be available depending upon the nature of the course objectives. PLAR cannot be used by registered Conestoga students for the clearance of academic deficiencies, to improve grades or to obtain admission into a program.

Learn more about PLAR.

Disclaimer

The College reserves the right to alter information including requirements and fees and to cancel at any time a program, course, or program major or option; to change the location and/or term in which a program or course is offered; to change the program curriculum as necessary to meet current competencies in the job market or for budgetary reasons; or to withdraw an offer of admission both prior to and after its acceptance by an applicant or student because of insufficient applications or registrations, over-acceptance of offers of admission, budgetary constraints, or for other such reasons. In the event the College exercises such a right, the College’s sole liability will be the return of monies paid by the applicant or student to the College. Students actively registered in cohort delivered programs who take longer than the designed program length of time to complete their studies are accountable for completing any new or additional courses that may result due to changes in the program of study. Unless otherwise stated, students registered in non-cohort delivered programs must complete the program of study within seven years of being admitted to the program.