Benefits of a Pre Service Firefighter Program Ontario
13/02/2014 11:58
A pre-service firefighter program is designed to provide students with basic knowledge and skills in
- Fire suppression
- Rescue operations
- Environmental protection
- Emergency patient care
- Fire prevention
- Community education
- Special rescue operations
Individuals considering building a career in firefighting may enrol in this program before taking up a more advanced course at college or university. This helps them
- Explore various career paths in firefighting
- Meet knowledge and skills outcome required by the OFM (Ontario Office of the Fire Marshall) curriculum in diverse firefighting areas
- Obtain practical and live training at the Toronto Fire Academy and other fire services training facilities
- Meet minimum legal, safety and ethical requirements to pursue a career in firefighting
- Learn to use fire equipment, apparatus and tools
- Develop basic employment skills
They also come to know about
- The level of commitment that the job of a firefighter requires
- The level of physical fitness firefighters need to actively and quickly perform their job
- The level of emotional stability the professionals need to deal with devastating situations
- How quickly they need to act in emergency situations to confine environmental hazards
- How challenging and demanding the job of a firefighter is
The one-year program gives students an in-depth understanding of basic fire science and job duties of firefighters, so that they can choose the right career path for themselves. It combines in-class learning, simulation training under the guidance of qualified instructors, and group-teaching scenarios.
Enrolling in a Firefighter Program
Not only the job of a firefighter is challenging, but enrolling in a course is equally tough. In order to apply for a pre-service firefighter course, you will need:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma
- English Grade 12 C or University or equivalent
- Mathematics Grade 11 M or 12 C or University or equivalent
- One Science Grade 11 or 12 (Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Exercise Science)
- To complete a self-identifying questionnaire
After admission, you will need to submit:
- Clear police check with vulnerable sector screening
- Clear medical report
- Proof of immunization
- Complete CPR and First Aid Training
- Class DZ driving licence
In addition, you should also have 20/30 vision in each eye without corrective lenses and normal unaided hearing.
Choosing the Right College
A number of colleges in Ontario offer pre-service firefighter courses. However, before applying with a college, make sure that the program
- Curriculum is approved by the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) and the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshall (OFM)
- Provides field placement
- Includes real-life work experience
- Teaches you to communicate effectively using verbal, non-verbal, written and electronic methods
- Incorporate practical and live fire training
- Makes you eligible to write the Ontario Fire Marshall Provincial Testing
- Is taught in partnership with Toronto Fire Services
Centennial College's one year pre-service firefighting education and training program fulfills all these criteria and provides extensive real-life training to students, allowing them apply principles, practices and procedures of fire science into practice.