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 for this program)
• 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 16 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
• 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.
• Stay at the College Dorms. This is complimentary - no fees. 
• Receive IFSAC and 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 II Practical Component:

• Approximately 16 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
• Involves in-person demonstration and instruction of Fire Officer skills.
• Manage multiple fire companies throughout unique scenario based and tabletop training. 
• Stay at the College Dorms. This is complimentary - no fees.
• Receive IFSAC and 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 exempt from licensing through Alberta Advanced Education due to its short duration, and due to its skills updating nature.

When you attend the practical component, you will be given the opportunity to stay overnight at the college dormitories. 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. The dormitories feature private rooms, with shared washroom and kitchen facilities.  

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 253ESO1: Weekends 

• Application Deadline: July 30, 2025
• First Day of in-person Classes: August 30, 2025
• Last Day of in-person Classes: August 31, 2025

Class WLESO1: CUSTOM SCHEDULE

• Open application
• Class practical dates determined as a group

OFFICER LEVEL II:

Class 253ESO2: Weekends 

• Application Deadline: October 29, 2025
• First Day of in-person Classes: November 29, 2025
• Last Day of in-person Classes: November 30, 2025

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.

All in-person training is hosted at our Red Deer campus located at 3420 22 Street, Springbrook.

The CFRC Breaks down pricing for the Fire Officer Training Program into a few different payment plan options so students don't have to pay a large sum all at once. Students will be given the opportunity to apply for a payment plan as part of their program application. 

Fire Officer Level I: NFPA 1021 Level I

Application Fee: $150.00

Remaining Tuition: $1,110.00

TOTAL: $1,260.00 (Application Fee forms part of overall tuition)

Fire Officer Level II: NFPA 1021 Level II

Application Fee: $150.00

Remaining Tuition: $1,110.00

TOTAL: $1,260.00 (Application Fee forms part of overall tuition)

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: 

• 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: 

• The College kitchen provides 3 meals per day if you subscribe to a meal-plan. Weekly meal-cards cost $225 per week. You can register and pay for meal cards after being accepted into a program via the tuition payment portal.

Travel costs to and from campus: 

• Travel to and from the Edmonton International Airport or the Calgary International Airport, the cost of flights, or if you travel directly to the school via car or bus will all cost you money. The nearest airport to the CFRC campus is the Calgary Airport (YYC), however the Edmonton International Airport (YEG) is only a few kilometers further away. These airports are both approximately a 1 hour drive from the college facility. One-way travel via Red Arrow bus-lines costs from $40 - $64, however a rideshare or taxi from Red Deer to the Campus will need to be purchased as well which will cost from $30-$50 ($70-$114 one-way total). The Red Arrow Pick-up and Drop-off location in Red Deer is 7150 50 Ave, Red Deer, Alberta (in front of the Quality Inn), and the college address is 3410 21 Street, Springbrook, Alberta.  
• If you need to book a flight, click here to see what is available and for pricing.

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.