Professional Firefighter

Program Overview

We are now accepting applications for the 2024/2025 academic year

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
Open

International Applicants
Open

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.

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.

Admissions Requirments

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.

Tuition and Fees

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 / International Cost Breakdown

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

1^stinstallment due August 28	$17,853
2^ndinstallment 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

1^stinstallment due August 28	$23,703
2^ndinstallment 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.

Graduate Opportunities

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.

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

Related
Programs

Primary Care Paramedicine

Get the medical training you'll need to become a Paramedic in the 2-year Primary Care Paramedicine diploma program. Start your career in emergency medical services.

Police Science Cadet

Study Police Science at The Atlantic Police Academy and learn the academic and tactical skills required to work as a Police Officer in Canada. Real-life situations and simulations prepare you for a career in law enforcement. The program blends real-life situations and simulations to prepare you for the law enforcement profession. This 34-week program will prepare you to work as a police constable.

Sheriff and Public Safety Officer

Start your career in law enforcement or security as a Sheriff or Public Safety Officer with this 24-week Certificate program at the Atlantic Police Academy. Learn to communicate effectively & manage high-stress situations while executing court orders or working to maintain public safety. Prepare for a career in various security sectors such as Sheriff services, private security, by-law or highway enforcement and more.

Additional
Resources

Student Awards

Learn how to apply for our student awards and bursaries. Over $500,000 is available annually thanks to the generosity of our donors.

Atlantic Police Academy

To find out more about the APA, including information on the residence, professional development, and in-service training, visit this page.

Professional Firefighter