Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training Courses

In this course, students will be introduced to academic writing styles with a thematic focus on current issues. This course will help students to express themselves clearly and correctly in written form. Students will critically analyse assigned readings and express their thoughts. The course will also focus on the development of an academic paper utilizing the APA style of documentation.

This subject provides an overview of the Ontario Fire Service, the professionalization process for firefighters in Ontario, fire and emergency services organizations, and the roles and responsibilities of employees. In particular, it focuses on the knowledge, attitudes and skills required of a professional firefighter. In addition, legislation and firefighter safety practices are emphasized. This subject is divided into three sections: A) Professionalization Process and the Role of the Firefighter in Ontario, B) Fire/Emergency Services Organization, and C) Fire Fighter Safety Practices. This course will also address Fire Behaviour and the Chemistry of Combustion. This section defines fire and its behaviour from ignition to extinguishment as a result of lack of fuel or oxygen. Fire is studied from both a physical and chemical standpoint. Stages and classes of fire and recognizable events are studied as well as methods of heat/fire spread and the methods used to control and extinguish fire. The final section will address Firefighter Safety Practices. This section covers firefighter safety principles and practices as well as Occupational Health and Safety principles and how they apply to a comprehensive health and safety program for the fire department. The learner will complete a Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) course by the end of this section. This section covers the purpose, types, uses and limitations of protective clothing. The learner practices donning personal protective clothing and equipment including maintaining, storing, cleaning and inspecting.

This section provides an overview of the Incident Management System. The content will address the observational, assessment, problem solving and decision making skills required by firefighters. The learner is introduced to the role of the firefighter on route to the fire scene and at the fire scene. Fire cause determination, fire scene security and post incident analysis and review are covered. The second section is G. Firefighter Survival. This section introduces the elements of firefighter survival from a self-rescue and firefighter rescue perspective. Fire ground self-rescue techniques and procedures will be the focus of the information covered. Topics include Mayday procedures, advanced SCBA techniques/procedures, rescue and escape procedures, wall breaches, entanglement prevention and emergency exit procedures all at the awareness level.

This course gives an overview of the communication and dispatch system in the fire department. The purpose, procedures and operations of communication equipment will be covered along with the role of the dispatcher and the firefighter. This course also covers types and configurations of breathing apparatus and its component parts. Respiratory hazards, limitations of breathing apparatus and emergency procedures are covered. The importance to the firefighter of the inspection, proper donning, operation, maintenance, cleaning and safety checks is emphasized. Common ropes and knots used to raise and lower firefighter equipment in emergency and non-emergency situations is also covered. Types, sizes and uses of ropes are highlighted. Practical experience focuses on tying common knots and raising and lowering firefighting equipment. Under E. Related Operations, iii. Search And Rescue was added. This section provides an overview of search and rescue operations. The importance of information gathering is highlighted including the use of pre-plans to determine likely victim location. Search patterns, victim stabilization and removal, safety, hazard recognition and inter-agency co-operation are stressed. Also, types and sizes of ladders used in the fire service and different methods used in carrying, raising, climbing and working on ground ladders is discussed. Finally, lighting equipment and its operation in order to provide illumination of the scene and to ensure that all equipment is operated within manufacturer's listed safety precautions is covered.

This section introduces the rules, procedures and regulations that apply to the driving and operation of fire apparatus. The different types and purposes of fire apparatus and equipment, including tankers, pumpers, aerials and lighting equipment are covered. Pre and post equipment inspection is also covered. Types, classification system, propulsion methods, extinguishants, characteristics and use of portable fire extinguishers used by the fire service are also covered. It also describes the limitations of these devices and the precautions associated with their use. Finally this section specifies considerations, procedures and precautions necessary to successfully extinguish the four classes of fire and compressed gas cylinder fires.

This module provides an overview of the Ontario emergency medical care system and the specific roles of members of the emergency response team. Content will cover common medical/trauma conditions, the related patient care and associated situational management. Emphasis will be on the specific role and responsibilities of the firefighter emergency patient care responder and the teamwork essential to the effectiveness of the EMS response. Included will be legislation, regulations, standards and established policies, procedures and protocols as well the role of members of the emergency response team and the specific role of the firefighter emergency care responder.

This course is designed to be both theoretical and practical, combining traditional classroom activity and practical application of health and fitness theory. Students participate in lectures and practical physical fitness and health activities that: 1) present how the body responds and adapts to exercise stress. 2) explore contemporary fitness and health issues.

This course defines ventilation as it applies to the fire service and describes the concepts, types, procedures, precautions, and equipment associated with ventilation operations. This course also defines forcible entry, covers the reasons for forcible entry, tools and techniques required, and discusses the various points of entry to buildings. The purpose and benefits of salvage and scene assessment as well as the tools and equipment used and procedures to follow during salvage operations is also covered. Finally the course defines overhaul and describes the reasons for, as well as procedures and precautions to be observed when performing overhaul operations. The duties and responsibility of a fire watch are also covered.

This course provides an overview of the design and components of municipal water supply systems and rural water supplies, as well as the types and operation of hydrants and methods of determining flow. It also describes hoses and associated appliances used in water delivery and fire attack lines. Causes and prevention of damage and the methods of inspection, maintenance and handling are also covered. Finally, water extinguishment theory and the application of water streams at the fire scene are also discussed. In particular, the development of skills associated with the selection and safe operation of solid, fog and master streams is covered. The types, purpose and construction of nozzles used to produce fire streams are also covered.

This course provides the learner with generic rescue principles and practices along with an understanding of the rescue process as conducted by firefighters. Key factors, conditions affecting common rescue, the roles and responsibilities of emergency rescue responders, safety and teamwork will be covered. Specifics will include rescue terminology, tools, equipment and available resources for rescue. This course also will focus on the generic and rescue skills and basic vehicle extrication skills necessary for a firefighter/rescuer to safely and effectively extricate a victim(s) from a vehicle. Content will include the principles, techniques and practices, reflecting leading edge vehicle technology. The use of special equipment and resources such as manual, hydraulic and pneumatic tools and ancillary equipment will be covered. Other topics include scene assessment incident management systems and safety of victim(s) and rescuers. This course provides an overview of electrical hazards firefighters encounter when responding to electrical emergencies occurring during fire suppression and rescue operations. Included in this will be safety rescue operations. Included in this will be safety precautions and actions a firefighter should take when dealing with possibly charged electrical equipment.

This course focuses on the roles and responsibilities of the firefighter/rescuer in land based/water /ice rescue. Content will include the principals, techniques and practices for land based/water/ice rescue operations. Practical experience will include the generic and specialized skills required in land based rescue. The Hazardous Materials Awareness section sets the stage for the following sections on rescue operations. There is potential in any fire ground/rescue operation for environmental damage and an overall negative impact on the community and to the health and safety of firefighters and rescue teams. Content will focus on the role, responsibilities and actions taken by firefighters as firefighter emergency responder at an awareness level during a hazardous materials incident. There will be a focus on recognition, firefighter protection, interagency coordination, securing the area and accessing of information from additional resources. Finally the content will focus on the role, responsibilities and actions taken by firefighters as firefighter emergency responder at an operations level during a hazardous materials incident. It will include knowledge on analyzing the incident, planning the response, implementing the planned response and evaluating progress. Additionally, emergency decontamination will be demonstrated.

This course provides an overview of the principles and practices associated with Low Rope Rescue, it is based on Chapter 5, NFPA 1006 - 2013 and it is the prerequisite for all the technical disciplines that fall under NFPA 1006. This course provides firefighters with a basic understanding of Low Rope Rescue incidents and their hazards. Firefighters will have an opportunity to identify needed support resources and practice size-up and manage resources at a rescue incident. This course also assists firefighters in analyzing, planning and strategizing for effective responses to emergency incidents. It also provides the firefighter with the knowledge to identify safety concerns that affect emergency responder safety at emergency situations, and a general understanding of building construction types and how each performs under exposure to fire. Another essential element to building construction is how buildings and structures react under stress conditions that may result in structural collapse. Having a better understanding of building construction will assist firefighters in size up and scene stabilization for all types of incidents involving a collapse.

This course will focus on the leadership and legislative roles of the firefighter as they pertain to performing public education, public relation activities, public fire and life safety activities. The course provides an overview of fire prevention activities engaged in by the firefighters. Principles, practices and procedures involved in fire prevention inspection will be outlined. Legislation, regulations, standards and fire prevention resources agencies will cover.

The purpose of the Pre-Graduate Experience is to afford students an opportunity to integrate knowledge and skills learned and to apply them during intensive practice of basic firefighting skills in a simulated environment, including live fire. Students will also gain better insight into the role of a firefighter, the operation of the fire service and related emergency services.

The purpose of the Pre-Graduate Experience is to afford students an opportunity to integrate knowledge and skills learned and to apply them during intensive practice of basic firefighting skills in a simulated environment, including live fire. Students will also gain better insight into the role of a firefighter, the operation of the fire service and related emergency services.