If your dream is to clean up nasty spills and save babies from Hazmat exposures, look no further! All jokes aside, this program is designed to prepare Responders to respond to and mitigate Hazardous Materials Releases.
The Blended Hazardous Materials Responder Program offered by the Canadian Fire Rescue College allows students to take the theory portion of their firefighter training online instead of in class (no more fighting to just stay awake in the back of the classroom as the instructor sentences you to death by PowerPoint). After students complete the online training, they attend in-person training at our campus in Alberta Beach which is hosted out of an active fire station. Students get the opportunity to sign up with the local Fire Department, and put their skills to use while they undergo their formal training.
The Hazardous Materials Training Program can be taken by individuals who currently respond to hazardous materials incidents, or by individuals looking to get into the hazardous materials response industry. There are many private sector employers that require or prefer applicants who have this level of training and certification.
Click throught the menu's below to learn more about this Hazardous Materials 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:
The Hazardous Materials Responder 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:
Practical Component:
There are two National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) levels covered in this Hazardous Materials Responder training program, they are:
NFPA 470 Awareness - Awareness Level Hazardous Materials Response
NFPA 470 Operations - Operations Level Hazardous Materials Response
Successful graduates of the program will be eligible to apply for and recieve IFSAC and Pro Board® certifications for each of these two levels. These certifications are accepted at all Fire Departments in North America, and many hazardous materials mitigation and response agencies as well.
For further information regarding the Pro Board®, visit www.theproboard.org
This Hazardous Materials Responder education program provides students with the knowledge needed to become professional Hazardous Materials Responders. These qualifications may be required for certain emergency response personnel in industrial settings, or may be required by specialized hazardous materials response and mitigation companies.
The Hazrdous Materials Responder Program is a part of the CFRC Firefighter I&II Training Program, which is fully licensed by Alberta Advanced Education.
When you attend the practical component, you will be given the opportunity to stay overnight at the local fire stations. 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.
If you so choose, you may sign up with the local Fire Department and respond to emergency callouts under their officer's supervision. Our college works closely with this department, and trains most of its staff, so they are pretty familiar with our expectations.
If you're scared of responding to calls, don't worry! This is completely optional and won't negatively affect your education or certification.
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 251HM: Full-Time Schedule
Weekdays - 5 days per week
IFSAC/Pro Board Skills Evaluations: March 25, 2025
Class 252HM: Full-Time Schedule
Weekdays - 5 days per week
IFSAC/Pro Board Skills Evaluations: June 24, 2025
Class 253HM: Full-Time Schedule
Weekdays - 5 days per week
IFSAC/Pro Board Skills Evaluations: September 23, 2025
Class 254HM: Full-Time Schedule
Weekdays - 5 days per week
IFSAC/Pro Board Skills Evaluations: December 23, 2025
Students must successfully complete the online training program prior to attending the practical component.
The CFRC breaks down pricing for the Hazardous Materials Responder program into two types of payments so students don't have to pay a large sum all at once:
HazMat Awareness & Operations - Online: $533.00
HazMat Awareness & Operations - Practical: $1,066.00
TOTAL: $1,599.00
These tuition payments must be made by certain deadlines prior to attending the practical component of the course.
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 tialored financial solutions.
The only fees that students may encounter that not included with their tuition are:
1 Class B uniform:
Hazardous Materials for First Responders 5th Edition Textbook OR IFSTA Essentials of Firefighting 7th Edition Textbook:
OR
Note: When paying tuition for online course, ensure you select the course that requires the textbook you desire to use.
IFSAC and Pro Board Certification fees:
Food during your stay:
Travel costs to and from campus:
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.