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Professional Firefighter


Start Date: September


Location: Milton, Atlantic Police Academy & PEI Firefighter Training Centre


Length: 22 weeks


Credential: Certificate, Professional Firefighter


Program Availability: Fall 2024 Term

Canadian Applicants: Waiting list

International Applicants with a Valid Study Permit: N/A

Other International Applicants: N/A


Firefighting is not just a job, it’s a lifestyle!

In the Professional Firefighter program, you will learn the fundamental firefighting skills needed to keep yourself, your colleagues, and the public safe in critical situations. Training at an off-campus site offers you firefighting experience in a controlled environment. You will learn about fire behaviour, motor vehicle extraction, medical first response, and communication in these training simulations.

Field training familiarizes students with equipment, including trucks, pumps, respirators, and hydraulic rescue tools such as Jaws of Life, to deal with fires, automotive accidents and public safety incidents.

You will participate in eight weeks of on-the-job training in a career or a composite (career and volunteer firefighters) department of your choosing, with certain restrictions.

Students are required to live in residence for the duration of their training, except when they are in on-the-job training.

Program Learning Outcomes


Upon successful completion of the Professional Firefighter program at the Atlantic Police Academy, graduates will:

  1. Demonstrate ethical and professional deportment required of professionals in the fire service. 
  2. Demonstrate firefighter knowledge and duties of performance in areas including fire dynamics, fire suppression, fire safety education and fire prevention, emergency patient care, environmental protection, and special rescue operations.
  3. Apply safety best practices and techniques in the use and maintenance of fire department equipment, tools, and personal protective clothing and equipment.
  4. Use effective and appropriate problem-solving and decision-making skills in emergency and non-emergency situations.
  5. Communicate effectively using verbal, non-verbal, written, or electronic methods using recognized and appropriate fire service terminology.
  6. Work effectively with other members of the fire service team, pre-hospital emergency care providers, and other emergency service-related groups to provide comprehensive service in emergency and non-emergency situations.
  7. Demonstrate physical fitness required in the execution of duties and explain the importance of wellness strategies to deal with occupational stress.
  8. Identify the importance of ongoing personal and professional development, that will lead to enhanced work performance and career opportunities, and to keep pace with industry changes.

Accreditation


This program obtained its accreditation from the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) in 2006 and is maintains its accreditation in accordance with IFSAC guidelines. The Professional Firefighter program was established in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association Standard (NFPA1001) for fire service professional qualifications.

The program is also accredited by the Canadian Forces College Opportunities Program through the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC), and has an established partnership with the Prince Edward Island Firefighters Association.  

DEGREE PATHWAYS


This program has degree pathways, giving you the opportunity to receive credit for your Holland College diploma when you continue your education. For a complete list of agreements, visit the Degree Pathways page.

Partner Institution Credential Details of Agreement
Columbia Southern University, Orange Beach, Alabama, U.S.A. Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration Graduates receive 25 credits toward a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration degree.
  • Minimum Grade 12 or equivalent with credits at or above the general level
  • Age 18 by program start date
  • Valid Class 5 (cars and light trucks) driver’s license (students holding restricted or graduated licenses must abide by the conditions of the license). International students require a valid and current international driver’s license.
  • Completion of Immunization Verification Form (this is a PDF and will open in a new window) (required after acceptance)
  • Completion of Vision Examination Form (this is a PDF and will open in a new window)
  • Criminal Record Check (Vulnerable Sector) with no findings of guilt. Find out more about Criminal Record Checks.
  • Physical fitness test set out by the program standard conducted at the Atlantic Police Academy prior to program start date. Find out more here.
  • Completion of Professional Firefighter Medical Examination. (This is a PDF and will open in a new window) Prior to visiting your physician please review this form and if there is any medical condition that you have, or suspect you may have, that is identified on the form as requiring a more detailed medical evaluation, please print the required form and take it with you on your visit to your doctor. If the doctor discovers a medical condition requiring further details, you will need to have them complete the appropriate detailed evaluation form.
  • Resumé including work and volunteer experience with applicable dates, membership in groups, associations or athletics, awards and distinctions, and any other information about yourself relevant to the program including work and volunteer experience with applicable dates, membership in groups, associations or athletics, awards and distinctions, and any other information about yourself relevant to the program.

NOTES:

  • If you are accepted to this program, you can book your immunizations through our Health Clinic. To book an appointment, please email npclinic@hollandcollege.com or call 902-566-9392. You will need your health card and your vaccination record.
  • Due to the strenuous training demands, the student must be in excellent physical condition as determined by a thorough medical exam and be able to participate in extremely strenuous physical activity in hostile environments without restrictions.
  • Do you have the attributes a professional firefighter needs? Check out this list.
  • Don’t have the courses you need to get into this program? Upgrade, earn high school credits, or get your GED in Adult Ed. It’s free!
  • If your first language is not English please review our English Language Requirements page.

2023/2024 Academic Year

Tuition, fees, and other costs are listed in Canadian dollars. International tuition includes the International Student Fee.

22 Weeks

Canadian

International

Tuition $11,919 $17,019
Fees $10,790* $11,540*
Other Costs Varies, see breakdown below Varies, see breakdown below
Total $22,709 $28,559

*Includes mandatory residence fees and meal plan.

/

Canadian Cost Breakdown

Tuition & Fees

 
Tuition $11,919
Student Union $172
Health Insurance Fee $445
Books $500
Lab Fee $220
Uniform $2,300
Equipment Leasing Fee $1,300
Dry Cleaning $300
IFSTA’s ResourceOne Online Interactive Program Fee $165
Graduation Fee $100
Accommodations/meals $5,288
Total $22,709
   
1st installment due August 28 $17,853
2nd installment due November 13 $4,856
   

Additional Requirements & Expenses

 
1 pair of black polishable shoes – Military or Police Style varies
2 long sleeve plain white dress shirts suitable to wear a black tie. (no button-down collars) varies
1 pair of black dress pants varies
1 pair of quality running shoes varies 
3 pairs of black socks varies 
1 black tie – plain, single colour/no patterns (clip-on preferred) varies 
Towels and personal toiletry articles varies

International Cost Breakdown

Tuition & Fees

 
Tuition* $17,019
Student Union $172
Health Insurance Fee $1,195
Books $500
Lab Fee $220
Uniform $2,300
Equipment Leasing Fee $1,300
Dry Cleaning $300
IFSTA’s ResourceOne Online Interactive Program Fee $165
Graduation Fee $100
Accommodations/meals $5,288
Total $28,559
   
1st installment due August 28 $23,703
2nd installment due November 13 $4,856
   

Additional Requirements & Expenses

 
1 pair of black polishable shoes – Military or Police Style varies
2 long sleeve plain white dress shirts suitable to wear a black tie. (no button-down collars) varies
1 pair of black dress pants varies
1 pair of quality running shoes varies
3 pairs of black socks varies
1 black tie – plain, single colour/no patterns (clip-on preferred) varies
Towels and personal toiletry articles varies

*Includes the International Student Fee.

Graduates receive a certificate with the designation Firefighter Level I, Firefighter Level II, Haz-mat Awareness, and Haz-mat Operations, and can work internationally as professional, full-time firefighters and industrial firefighters.

DEGREE PATHWAYS

Many Holland College programs have degree pathway agreements with other post-secondary institutions. You can receive credit for your Holland College diploma toward a university degree or other post-graduate credential, saving you time and money! Find out more on the Degree Pathways page.

Course Code

Course Name & Description

Credit Values


Course Code:SAFE-1005

PEI Occupational Health and Safety

An overview of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Prince Edward Island. Students examine the legislation, how PEI employees are protected while on the job and the responsibilities of employees and employers.

Credit Value:0


Course Code:BASICFF-10100

Basic Firefighting Level One Theory

This course covers the theory portion of the sections required for a Fire Fighter I in the NFPA 1001, 2019 edition, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications. Successful completion of this course is required to become certified as a Fire Fighter I.

Credit Value:7


Course Code:BASICFF-10101

Basic Firefighting Level One Practical

This course covers the practical portion of the sections required for a Fire Fighter I in the NFPA 1001, 2019 edition, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications. Successful completion of this course is required to become certified as a Fire Fighter I.

Credit Value:5


Course Code:BASICFF-10200

Basic Firefighting Level Two Theory

This course covers the theory portion of the sections required for a Fire Fighter II in the NFPA 1001, 2019 edition, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications. Successful completion of this course is required to become certified as a Fire Fighter II.

Credit Value:2


Course Code:BASICFF-10201

Basic Firefighting Level Two Practical

This course covers the practical portion of the sections required for a Fire Fighter II in the NFPA 1001, 2019 edition, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications. Successful completion of this course is required to become certified as a Fire Fighter II.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:BASICFF-10310

Hazardous Materials Awareness Theory

This course is designed to meet the theory requirements of NFPA 1072 - Hazardous Materials Awareness / Weapons of Mass Destruction. Emergency Response Personnel are trained to meet the minimum job performance requirements to appropriately respond to incidents involving hazardous materials / weapons of mass destruction in order to protect the public, responders and the environment.

Credit Value:1


Course Code:BASICFF-10311

Hazardous Materials Awareness Practical

This course is designed to meet the practical requirements of NFPA 1072 - Hazardous Materials Awareness / Weapons of Mass Destruction. Emergency Response Personnel are trained to meet the minimum job performance requirements to appropriately respond to incidents involving hazardous materials / weapons of mass destruction in order to protect the public, responders and the environment.

Credit Value:2


Course Code:BASICFF-10320

Hazardous Materials Operations Theory

This course is designed to meet the theory requirements of NFPA 1072 - Hazardous Materials Operations / Weapons of Mass Destruction. Emergency Response Personnel are trained to meet the minimum job performance requirements to appropriately respond to incidents involving hazardous materials / weapons of mass destruction in order to protect the public, responders and the environment.

Credit Value:2


Course Code:BASICFF-10321

Hazardous Materials Operations Practical

This course is designed to meet the practical requirements of NFPA 1072 - Hazardous Materials Operations. Emergency Response Personnel are trained to meet the job performance requirements to appropriately respond to incidents involving hazardous materials / weapons of mass destruction in order to protect the public, responders and the environment. Learn to effectively use personal protective equipment in cases of hazardous material releases, and how to implement control measures.

Credit Value:1


Course Code:BASICFF-10500

On-the-Job Training

On-the-job training provides students with an opportunity to apply skills and knowledge acquired in the Professional Firefighter program to a relevant work environment. OJT participants are expected to assume, with appropriate supervision, the duties and responsibilities normally expected of an entry-level firefighter. Using their own observations and initiative, students are expected to acquire and apply new skills as may be expected of a new employee in their respective workplace setting.

Credit Value:6


Course Code:BASICFF-11000

Fitness and Lifestyle

This course is designed to prepare students for the firefighting profession and the various physical tests that are required. Students learn and are challenged to lead a healthy lifestyle by improving their fitness level and nutrition.

Credit Value:2


Course Code:NCPR-1002

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems

Students complete Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training and certification.

Credit Value:0


Course Code:NCPR-1400

Medical First Responder

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. Includes CPR level HCP and AED. Successful participants will receive a 3-year certification in First Responder, CPR Level HCP, and AED.

Credit Value:0


Course Code:NCPR-1500

Introduction to Incident Command System (ICS) 100

Introduction to ICS is intended for personnel assigned to an incident or event who have a minimum requirement for understanding ICS. Students learn about the ICS organization, basic terminology, and common responsibilities, and are provided with basic information about the Incident Command System to enable them to work in a support role at an incident or event, or to support an incident from an off-site location.

Credit Value:0


Course Code:NCPR-1505

Incident Command System 200 (ICS-200)

ICS 200 focuses on smaller, less complex incidents and events and is an awareness-level course on the Incident Command System. The course builds on concepts learned in ICS 100, providing more detail on the features, principles, responsibilities and organizational structure of the system. It also provides the foundation for higher level ICS training.

Credit Value:0


Course Code:PROF-1050

Professional Ethics and Deportment

The purpose of this course is to examine and practice ethical and professional behaviors to prepare students for making ethical choices during their time at the academy and in their professional public safety careers. Students are required to produce and follow a personal code of ethics, work as a team, and to exhibit behaviors and values that are consistent with the expectations of the profession and the public.

Credit Value:1


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On my first day with HSE Integrated as an industrial firefighter, I called on my newly acquired skills and used them efficiently on the job. The program helped to develop my communication skills, which is important, as I am required to work quickly and effectively with others. I feel that the experience I gained was truly valuable, as it has prepared me to be successful in my line of work.

Kelsey, Squad 20

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