COURSE CURRICULUM

The Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training program at Georgian College is structured over three semesters and delivers 980 hours of comprehensive theoretical and practical instruction designed to prepare students for the challenges of a firefighting career. In Semester 1, students are introduced to the fundamentals of fire service through courses such as Fire Protection Systems and Public Education, Fire Ground Operations 1, and Introduction to the Fire Service. They begin developing essential fitness and technical skills in Firefighter Fitness 1, Fire Techniques 1 Theory and Practical, and Hazardous Materials Theory. A communications course rounds out the semester to strengthen professional interaction skills, bringing the total to 350 hours. Semester 2 builds on these foundations with more advanced training in Fire Ground Operations 2, Firefighter Fitness 2, and Emergency Medical Responder Theory and Practical. Students continue their technical progression in Fire Techniques 2 Theory and Practical and apply their understanding of hazardous materials through a hands-on practical course, completing 336 hours. In Semester 3, students enhance their operational knowledge with courses such as Incident Management System and Communication, Fire Safety Inspections, and Fire Techniques 3. They gain advanced tactical training in Fire Ground Operations 3 and prepare for job readiness in Career Preparation. The semester concludes with specialized training in Technical Rescue Awareness and Vehicle Rescue and Extrication, for a total of 294 hours. Throughout the program, students receive a blend of classroom instruction and real-world simulations to meet the standards of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), specifically NFPA 1001 and NFPA 1072. This immersive, hands-on education ensures that graduates are well-prepared for certification and employment in the firefighting profession, ready to respond effectively to a wide range of emergency situations.