Fire Officer 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: 

• NFPA 1001 Firefighter Level I (IFSAC/Pro Board) 
• NFPA 1001 Firefighter Level II (IFSAC/Pro Board) 
• NFPA 1041 Level I; or successful completion of the CFRC ESI I Practical class
• Valid Alberta Class 5 Drivers License with Airbrake Endorsement (Or equivalent)
• Legal Right to work in Canada (we do not currently accept international students)
• Physical ability to perform firefighting duties (require doctors medical clearance)
• English Language Proficiency (in accordance to the CFRC Language Proficiency Policy)
• High School Diploma, GED, or letter requesting Mature Admission
• Proof of age (minimum 18 years of age)
• Standard First Aid and CPR Level C (or equivalent/higher - from an approved training provider)
• Completion of the Fire Officer level I is required in order to enroll in the Fire Officer II program.

Each level of the Fire Officer program is delivered in a blended format, meaning that a portion of the course is delivered online, and a portion is delivered in person.

Fire Officer Level I Online Component:

• Approximately 32 hours of self-paced online learning
• Provides you with the basic theoretical knowledge required to transition from the role of firefighter, to Fire Company Officer.
• Meets the theory learning requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1002 standard, Fire Officer I 
• You can register and begin the Fire Officer I training program at any time, no registration deadlines or set class dates
• No due dates! You can complete the Fire Officer training program at your own pace
• Interactive visual and audio learning aids help students learn the theories and concepts necessary to be successful.
• You must purchase the required Fire Officer training textbook 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.

Fire Officer Level I Practical Component:

• Approximately 32 hours of in-person skills-based instruction with 8 hours of formal final skills evaluation.
• Must successfully complete the CFRC Company Officer Level I - Online program before attending
• There are admission requirements to this program that must be met prior to attending, such as a doctors medical clearance. Ensure all requirements are met before attending.
• Involves in-person demonstration and instruction of Fire Officer 1 skills.
• Practice foundational fire officer skills, and experience various tabletop scenarios with your classmates in a controlled environment.
• Apply your training on real-live 911 emergency responses. The CFRC encourages students to sign up and respond with the local fire department to gain valuable experience.
• Stay at the fire station. Accommodations are included with tuition. You will be staying at one of two fire stations.
• Receive Pro-Board testing. If successful, you will be eligible to receive IFSAC and Pro-Board certifications for NFPA 1021 Fire Officer Level I. 

ESI Level II Online Component:

• Approximately 32 hours of self-paced online learning
• Provides you with the advanced theoretical knowledge required to manage multiple fire companies (among other skills).
• Meets the theory learning requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1021 standard, Fire Officer Level II 
• You can register and begin the Fire Officer 2 training program at any time, no registration deadlines or set class dates
• No due dates! You can complete the Fire Officer training program at your own pace
• Interactive visual and audio learning aids help students learn the theories and concepts necessary to be successful.
• You must purchase the required Fire Officer training textbook 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.

ESI Level I Practical Component:

• Approximately 32 hours of in-person skills-based instruction with 8 hours of formal final skills evaluation.
• Must successfully complete the CFRC Company Officer Level II - Online program before attending
• There are admission requirements to this program that must be met prior to attending, such as a doctors medical clearance. Ensure all requirements are met before attending.
• Involves in-person demonstration and instruction of Fire Officer skills.
• Manage multiple fire companies throughout unique scenario based and tabletop training. 
• Stay at the fire station. Accommodations are included with tuition. You will be staying at one of two fire stations.
• Receive Pro-Board testing. If successful, you will be eligible to receive IFSAC and Pro-Board certifications for NFPA 1041 Fire Officer Level II. 

There is one National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) level covered in each level of the training program, they are:

NFPA 1021 Fire Officer Level I

NFPA 1021 Fire Officer Level II

Successful graduates of the program will be eligible to apply for and recieve IFSAC and Pro Board® certifications for each level of training they have completed. These certifications are accepted at all Fire Departments in North America, and can be an asset on your resume when applying for career structural firefighter job postings.

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

This Fire Officer Training program provides level I Officer students with the knowledge and skills needed to manage single fire companies, and provides level II students with the knowledge and skills neccesary manage multiple fire companies. These qualifications may be required for certain emergency response personnel in municipal settings, and may also be required for certain industrial firefighter job postings. Some departments require this training before a firefighter may be eligible for further promotion. 

This program is not yet licensed through Alberta Advanced Education and thus is not open for public enrollment. All applicants must be currently employed with an emergency services related organization before admission will be permitted. If you are between positions and are interested in taking this training, we suggest you reach out to your local department, or sign a volunteer firefighter agreement with the local fire department at the CFRC campus (Fire Rescue International).

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. This training is very specialized, and class sizes are typically quite small. Due to the specialized nature of this training, the CFRC provides a Wait List (WL) application option. New practical schedules will be booked based on the availability of instructors, and the size of the WL group. Students must pick one scheduled class to attend from the list below: 

OFFICER LEVEL I:

Class 242ESO1: CONDENSED SCHEDULE - CANCELLED

• Application Deadline: October 12, 2024
• First Day of Officer I: November 12th, 2024
• Last Day of Officer I: November 14th, 2024
• Pro Board Testing: November 15th, 2024

Class WLESO1: CUSTOM SCHEDULE

• Open application
• Class practical dates determined as a group

OFFICER LEVEL II:

Class WLESO2: CUSTOM SCHEDULE

• Open Application
• Class practical dates determined as a group

Applicants who select "WL" will be added to a Wait List and will be contacted when the waitlist generates enough students to run another practical component. The Admissions Team will reach out via email to schedule dates and times that work best for most (ideally all) students on the waitlist. Note* There is no guarantee that the WL course will suit the applicants schedule, or run during the period preferred by the student. The CFRC schedules one practical component for each level, each season not including WL designated courses.

The CFRC breaks down pricing for the Fire Officer Training program into two types of payments so students don't have to pay a large sum all at once: 

Fire Officer Level I Training Program:

Fire Officer Level I - Online: $630.00

Fire Officer Level I - Practical: $630.00

TOTAL: $1,260.00

Fire Officer Level II Training Program:

Fire Officer Level II - Online: $630.00

Fire Officer Level II - Practical: $630.00

TOTAL: $1,260.00

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:

2 Class B uniforms: 

• Available for purchase via the college IN ADVANCE - they are custom ordered and shipped out from BC 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 patches sewn on, and pants hemmed - $175-$194 (size dependent) for each full set (not including black work/station boots)

 IFSTA Fire and Emergency Services Company Officer, 6th Edition Textbook: 

• Available for purchase from the AFCA Bookstore in E-Book format - $108. The Print version can also be purchased there for $117.

IFSAC and Pro Board Certification fees: 

• Payable to the Province of Alberta - $45 per certificate (1 certificate per level of this program)

Food during your stay: 

• This can depend on many variables such as diet and preferences - $300 is a good budget for each level of this course.

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.

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.