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.

Applying as an International applicant

International students should apply online. Note: not all start dates are available to international students.

Campus tours

Campus tours are one of the best ways to experience Conestoga. During this time, we are offering online guided tours to show you all Conestoga has to offer.

Book your tour

Virtual tours

If you can't make an on-campus tour or attend one of our events, the virtual tour is a great way to visit us.

View our Virtual tour

Courses - September 2023

Level 1

Course details

College Reading & Writing Skills
COMM1085

Description: This course introduces students to the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills needed for academic and workplace success. Students will analyse a variety of texts and apply the steps of planning, writing, and revising to produce writing that meets the expectations of selected audiences and purposes. The course prepares students for college-level writing tasks, research, and documentation by asking them to produce clear, informed, and purposeful documents relevant to both academic and professional contexts.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Conestoga 101
CON0101

Description: This self-directed course focuses on introducing new students to the supports, services, and opportunities available at Conestoga College. By the end of this course, students will understand the academic expectations of the Conestoga learning environment, as well as the supports available to ensure their academic success. Students will also be able to identify on-campus services that support their health and wellness, and explore ways to get actively involved in the Conestoga community through co-curricular learning opportunities.

Hours: 1
Credits: 0
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Fire Fighter I Theory
FIRE1300

Description: This course introduces the firefighter to the fire service. Topics include theory training on the following subjects: History of the Fire Service, Firefighter Health & Safety, Communications, Building Construction, Fire Behaviour, Personal Protective Equipment, Portable Fire Extinguishers, Ropes, Knots and Webbing, Search & Rescue, Illumination, Forcible Entry, Ladders, Ventilation, Water, Supply, Fire Hose, Fire Streams, Fire Protections Systems, Fire Control, Loss Control, Fire Origin, and Fire Safety Initiatives.

Hours: 104
Credits: 7
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Fire Fighter I Lab
FIRE1310

Description: This course introduces the firefighter to the fire service. Topics include skills training on the following subjects: Firefighter Health & Safety, Communications, Personal Protective Equipment, Portable Fire Extinguishers, Ropes, Knots and Webbing, Search & Rescue, Illumination, Forcible Entry, Ladders, Ventilation, Water, Supply, Fire Hose, Fire Streams, Fire Control, Loss Control, and Fire Origin.

Hours: 112
Credits: 6
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Vocational Fitness Standards I for Pre-Service Firefighter
FIT1090

Description: This course will introduce students to relevant bona fide vocational physical performance standards, assess their physical abilities against the identified test criteria and provide test-specific coaching.

Hours: 28
Credits: 2
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Level 2

Course details

Hazardous Materials Operations
FIRE1320

Description: Hazmat training focuses on the recognition of a hazardous materials emergency, personnel safety, hazard assessment, and the notification of higher skilled emergency responders or technical response teams. Students will become familiar with the Emergency Response Guidebook and learn about the mandate and authority of the Canadian Transport Emergency Centre (CANUTEC). Students will explore topics such as placards, containers, materials Involved; determine whether materials have been released, PPE, emergency decontamination and the evaluation of the surrounding conditions. The students through collecting hazard and response information will develop a “risk based response” plan. Students will also learn to use mission-specific personal protective equipment and perform various product control methods.

Hours: 56
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Fire Fighter II Theory
FIRE1330

Description: This course builds on the skills from Firefighter I. Topics include skills training on the following subjects: Fire Department Communications, Scene lighting, Rescue Tools, Vehicle extrication, Technical Rescue, Fire Hose, Fire Streams, Fire Control, Fire Origin and Cause, Fire Protection Systems, Fire & Life Safety Initiatives

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites: FIRE1300 AND FIRE1310
CoRequisites:

Fire Fighter II Lab
FIRE1340

Hours: 112
Credits: 6
Pre-Requisites: FIRE1300 AND FIRE1310
CoRequisites:

Fire and Life Safety Educator
FIRE1380

Description: This course prepares the student to design and deliver sound public education programs that consider the needs of diverse audiences. It is based on NFPA 1035 Standard for Professional Qualifications for Public Fire and Life Safety Educator. Topics includes basic learning theories, community based programming, public relations, risk evaluation, and risk reduction strategies.

Hours: 24
Credits: 2
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Vocational Performance Standards II for Pre-Servce Firefighter
FIT1100

Description: This course will provide students with performance-specific coaching related to bona fide vocational physical performance criteria, and assess their physical abilities against the relevant test criteria.

Hours: 28
Credits: 2
Pre-Requisites: FIT1090
CoRequisites:

Level 3

Course details

Career Preparation (Fire Fighter)
ETR1445

Description: This course will provide a general overview of the fire service admissions requirements and how to approach the process within the municipal structure. The focus will be on learning the necessary philosophy, theory and skills to properly apply to municipal fire services. This will be accomplished through instructor led classroom work including practical exercises on the application process, cover letter and resume writing and interviewing skills. It will culminate in a mock recruitment scenario involving fire professionals and including a peer review component.

Hours: 28
Credits: 2
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Technical Rescuer Core
FIRE1351

Description: This course will cover the job performance requirements that shall be met under the NFPA 1006 Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications per requirements of Office of the Fire Marshal Emergency Management Ontario prior to being qualified as a Technical Rescuer. The course includes a comprehensive understanding of site operations giving a specific type of rescue incident. In addition, this course provides an overview of victim management including triage and assessments of rescue vs. recovery. It provides an in depth understanding regarding inspection and maintenance of rescue equipment. Finally, the course will teach how to tie knots bends and hitches so that the knots are recognizable.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites: FIRE1320
CoRequisites:

Skills Consolidation
FIRE1360

Description: This course encapsulate and extend the key elements from the three courses in Level 3 of the current design: the application of scenarios that allow the student to demonstrate transference from learning the fire ground skills in a training environment to performance of those skills as part of a team; fire ground operations skills, emergency patient care skills and environmental protection and rescue skills. It will provide students the opportunity to extend and apply knowledge, skills and abilities during intensive practice of basic firefighting skills in a simulated environment, including live fire. Students will also gain better insight and simulated inter-professional experience into the role of the firefighter, the operation of the fire service and other related emergency services, and interactions with special populations (seniors, people with mental health issues).

Hours: 112
Credits: 6
Pre-Requisites: FIRE1320 AND FIRE1330 AND FIRE1340 AND FIT1100
CoRequisites:

Emergency Medical Responder
FIRE1370

Description: This course will cover pre-hospital care and CPR skills for professional first responders or those wanting to become first responders. This course teaches techniques for sustaining life, preventing further injuries, and caring for illnesses and injuries until the next level of medical personnel arrives, including CPR level HCP and AED. The application of these skills is strengthened through simulation based learning and inter-professional scenarios.

Hours: 84
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Program outcomes

Apply fire sciences theory and suppression techniques to the role of Firefighter
Use the tools and equipment employed by the fire services in a safe and efficient manner
Apply ethical, legal and safety concepts in a professional manner
Interact with diverse communities in a respectful manner
Communicate effectively making use of fire service terminology
Apply interpersonal, critical thinking, and problem solving, skills appropriate to the role of Firefighter in the classroom and in labs and other practical application settings.
Co-operate and work effectively as part of an inter-professional team with fire services, other emergency response personnel and special populations
Apply effective first responder principles and practices
Explain the role of Firefighter in relation to fire safety in society
Demonstrate the culminating role performances for an entry recruit in such areas as: fire suppression, community education and fire prevention, fire fighter emergency patient care, environmental protection, and special rescue operations
Apply wellness and fitness concepts and techniques in support of vocational readiness and resilience and lifespan health