Enhanced Firefighter Training Program

The CFRC has a pretty comprehensive admissions policy which students should review before applying. The highlights of the requirements for this program are: 

• Proof of age (minimum 18 years of age)
• English Language Proficiency (in accordance to the CFRC Language Proficiency Policy)
• Signed Medical Clearance form (filled out by physician)
• Valid Alberta Class 5 Drivers License with air brake endorsement (Or equivalent)
• Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening
• High School Diploma, GED, or mature admission status
• Standard First Aid and CPR Level C (or equivalent)
• Passing grade (70%) on the CFRC Cognitive Abilities examination
• Passing grade (70%) on the CFRC Ethics and Morals examination

The Enhanced Firefighter Training program is delivered in a blended format, meaning that a portion of the course is delivered online, and a portion is delivered in person.

Online Component:

• Approximately 304 hours of self-paced online learning
• Provides you with the basic theoretical knowledge of firefighting
• Meets the theory learning requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1001, 470, 1140, and 1002 standards.
• You can register and begin the firefighter training program at any time, no registration deadlines or set class dates
• No due dates! You can complete the necessary online training at your own pace
• Interactive visual and audio learning aids developed in partnership with Action Training Systems Inc.
• You must purchase the required textbooks for this program. Textbooks are available in print or electronic versions.
• Try out our sample course in the student portal to make sure this training works for you. (click banner at top that says "Student Portal Login")

Practical Component:

• Approximately 320 hours of in-person skills-based instruction with 24 hours of formal final skills evaluation.
• Must successfully complete the following online programs before attending in-person classes: Firefighter I&II - Online, Wildland Fire Fighter I - Online, Pumping Apparatus Driver Operator - Online.
• There are admission requirements to this program that must be met prior to attending, such as cognitive ability testing, ethics/morality testing, and doctors medical clearance. Ensure all requirements are met before attending.
• Involves in-person demonstration and instruction of firefighting skills.
• Fight real fire inside buildings, vehicles, and outdoors. Perform vehicle extrication, Hazardous Materials Response... and more!
• Accommodations are included with tuition. 
• Receive IFSAC/Pro-Board testing. If successful, you will be eligible to receive IFSAC and Pro-Board certifications for NFPA 1001 levels I&II, and NFPA 470 Awareness and Operations levels, NFPA 1140 Wildland Fire Fighter Level I, and the NFPA 1002 Pumping Apparatus Driver Opearator.

Practicum Placement:

• Minimum of 540 hours of practicum placement at 3 different fire stations. 
• Respond to emergency callouts and perform the duties of a firefighter under the supervision and guidance of an assigned preceptor.
• Receive feedback and additional skills practice from preceptors, fellow firefighters, and officers while on placement. 
• Gain facetime with professionals in the industry who can help guide you through the next steps after graduation.
• Build on your resume and earn a Diploma testifying to your abilities and experiences.

There are 11 different courses covered in this diploma program, they are:

• FF1 - NFPA 1001 Firefighter Level I
• FF2 - NFPA 1001 Firefighter Level II
• HZA - NFPA 470 Hazardous Materials Responder Awareness
• HZO - NFPA 470 Hazardous Materials Responder Operator
• WF1 - NFPA 1140 Wildland Firefighter Level I
• FADO - NFPA 1002 Fire Apparatus Driver Operator 
• PADO - NFPA 1002 Pumping Apparatus Driver Operator
• EMR - Canadian Red Cross Emergency Medical Responder
• Prac1 - Practicum Placement 1
• Prac2 - Practicum Placement 2
• Prac3 - Practicum Placement 3

With the exception of the FADO course, successful completion of all NFPA courses and third-party evaluations will make the student eligible to apply for and receive IFSAC and Pro Board certifications. The FADO level of training is only eligible for IFSAC certification.

For further information regarding the Pro Board®, visit www.theproboard.org 

This firefighter education program provides students with the knowledge needed to become professional structural firefighters. Most Fire Departments in Canada require applicants to have these certifications before they can apply. Some departments don't require applicants to already have these certificates, however they all prefer applicants who do.

The CFRC Enhanced Firefighter Training Program is not currently licensed by Alberta Advanced Education. The CFRC will not be accepting applications for this program until it is fully licensed in accordance to Advanced Education Requirements. 

When you attend the practical component, you will be given the opportunity to stay overnight at our campus dorms. While there is no fee for this living arrangement, expect to not be staying at the Ritz! Students who demand a more luxurious living arrangement will have to seek it out at their own expense. Students who are assigned to overnight practicum placements should expect similar living arrangments at fire stations throughout the province.

This program requires the student to successfully complete 3 practicum placements at three of several active fire stations. Students will be expected to perform the duties of a firefighter with a relatively high degree of proficiency prior to receiving permission to attend practicum placements. If at any time during the formal training that preceeds the practicum the instructor deems that the student has not reached this level of proficiency, this permission will not be given. If permission to attend a practicum placement is withheld, the student will not be eligible to recieve a Diloma.

Students will be placed at various departments throughout the province at the discretion of the instructor and director of the college. Students will be informed during their formal training what their practical component schedule will be, and what stations they will be reporting to. 

Students can begin the online course at any point in time, but the practical component does have set dates that students must apply before, and select dates they must attend our campus on. Students must pick one scheduled class to attend from the list below: 

Class 251EFF: FULL-TIME SCHEDULE

5 Days per week - Evaluations on select Saturdays

Application Deadline: December 24, 2024

First Day of in-person Classes: February 24, 2025

Last Day of in-person Classes: April 18, 2025

First Day of Practicum Placement: April 19, 2025*

Last Day of Practicum Placement: July 18, 2025*

IFSAC/Pro Board Evaluation Dates: 

March 15, 2025 (FF1), March 22, 2025 (FF2), March 25, 2025 (HAZ), March 29, 2025 (WF1), April 5, 2025 (FADO and PADO).

*Practicum shift schedules vary depending on placement department. Students typically mirror the shift of their assigned preceptor.

Class 252EFF: FULL-TIME SCHEDULE

5 Days per week - Evaluations on select Saturdays

Application Deadline: March 26, 2025

First Day of in-person Classes: May 26, 2025

Last Day of in-person Classes: July 18, 2025

First Day of Practicum Placement: July 19, 2025*

Last Day of Practicum Placement: October 17, 2025*

IFSAC/Pro Board Evaluation Dates:  

June 14, 2025 (FF1), June 21, 2025 (FF2), June 24, 2025 (HAZ), June 28, 2025 (WF1), July 5, 2025 (FADO and PADO)

*Practicum shift schedules vary depending on placement department. Students typically mirror the shift of their assigned preceptor.

Class 253EFF: FULL-TIME SCHEDULE

5 Days per week - Evaluations on select Saturdays

Application Deadline: June 25, 2025

First Day of in-person Classes: August 25, 2025

Last Day of in-person Classes: October 17, 2025

First Day of Practicum Placement: October 18, 2025*

Last Day of Practicum Placement: January 23, 2026*

IFSAC/Pro Board Evaluation Dates:  

September 13, 2025 (FF1), September 20, 2025 (FF2), September 23, 2025 (HAZ), September 27, 2025 (WF1), October 4, 2025 (FADO and PADO)

*Practicum shift schedules vary depending on placement department. Students typically mirror the shift of their assigned preceptor.

Class 254EFF: FULL-TIME SCHEDULE

5 Days per week - Evaluations on select Saturdays

Application Deadline: September 24, 2025

First Day of in-person Classes: November 24, 2025

Last Day of in-person Classes: January 23, 2025

First Day of Practicum Placement: January 24, 2026*

Last Day of Practicum Placement: April 17, 2026*

IFSAC/Pro Board Evaluation Dates:  

December 13, 2025 (FF1), December 20, 2025 (FF2), December 23, 2025 (HAZ), January 3, 2026 (WF1), January 10, 2026 (FADO and PADO)

*Practicum shift schedules vary depending on placement department. Students typically mirror the shift of their assigned preceptor.

Students must successfully complete the online training program prior to attending the practical component. 

The CFRC Breaks down pricing for the Enhanced Firefighter Training program into five payments so students don't have to pay a large sum all at once: 

Payment 1: $3,640*

Payment 2: $3,640

Payment 3: $3,640

Payment 4: $3,640

Payment 5: $3,640

TOTAL: $18,200.00

Payment 1 must be made on the day students intend to begin the online portion of their training. This should be prior to the enrollment deadline to allow ample time to complete the training prior to attending in-person courses. The remaining payments must all be made prior to the first day of in-person classes.

Tuition payments cannot be made until a student has submitted an application and been accepted into the program.

Need a loan? We have partnered with Loans Canada to provide financial options to students. Take a look at our tailored financial solutions.

The fees that students may encounter that not included with their tuition are:

2 Class B uniforms: 

• Available for purchase via the college IN ADVANCE - they are custom ordered and shipped out from an out-of-province supplier so cannot be purchased on the day you arrive. Orders must be placed at least 30 days prior to the start date of your practical component. Uniforms now come with CFRC patches sewn on, and pants hemmed - $175-$194 (size dependent) for each full set (not including black work/station boots)

Textbooks: 

• IFSTA Essentials of Firefighting 7th Edition: Available for purchase from the AFCA Bookstore in E-Book and Print formats - $120 for E-Book, and $130 for print.
• IFSTA Firefighter's Handbook On Wildland Firefighting Strategy, Tactics and Safety, 4th Edition: Available for purchase from the AFCA Bookstore in Print format - $135. The E-Book version may be purchased directly from IFSTA - $92. 
• IFSTA Pumping Apparatus Driver/Operator Handbook, 3rd Edition: Available for purchase from the AFCA Bookstore in E-Book format - $96. The Print version can also be purchased there for $127.
• Canadian Red Cross EMR and BLS paperback textbooks: Available for purchase via the CFRC Tuition Payment Portal for $198 and $32 respectively.

IFSAC and Pro Board Certification fees: 

• Payable to the Province of Alberta - $45 per certificate (7 certificates in this program)

EMR Post Graduate Fees (optional - only required for professional practice):

• COPR Examination fees*: (Optional - required if licensing)
  • Payable to the COPR - $550 per attempt 
• Liability Insurance*: (Optional - required if licensing)
  • Vary greatly by supplier. Example:Lloydsadd - $65 annual fee plus $4 service fee 
• Provincial Paramedical Association Licensing Fees*: (Optional)
  • Saskatchewan: $100 registration fee, $520 annual licensing fee
  • British Columbia: $450 initial licensing fee, $50 annual license fee.
  • Alberta (labour mobility - must already be registered elsewhere): $25 jurisprudence exam fee, $100 application fee, $499 annual licensing fee.
  • Manitoba: $550 annual licensing fee.

Food during your stay: 

• This can depend on many variables such as diet and preferences - $1,000 for a month is a good budget for this

Travel costs to and from campus: 

• Travel to and from the Edmonton International Airport, the cost of flights, or if you travel directly to the school via car or bus will all cost money. The nearest airport to the CFRC campus is the Edmonton International Airport (YEG). This airport is approximately a 1 hour drive from the facility. Contacting a ridesharing service such as UBER is recommended. One way travel to the facility from the airport via a ridesharing service ranges in price, but is usually between $100 and $200. Click here to check out available flights.

The Canadian Fire Rescue College is a Designated Learning Institution authorized by HIS MAJESTY THE KING IN RIGHT OF ALBERTA as represented by the Minister of Advanced Education to review applications and admit international students into licensed training programs.

Click here to learn more

Before you apply, it is a good idea to reach out to an admissions specialist. 

You can book a video chat appointment with one, or send them an email. Click here to get started.

Ready to apply? Click on the link here to begin the application package.