Fire Officer & Incident Safety Officer Training Program

Fire Officer I

NFPA 1021 Fire Officer I is designed for firefighters preparing to transition into first-line supervisory and company officer roles.

Fire Officer I focuses on the knowledge, judgment, communication, and administrative abilities required to supervise a single fire company and its assigned personnel. Students develop the foundational leadership skills needed to manage day-to-day company activities and direct operations within established departmental procedures.

Training may include:

• Transitioning from firefighter to company officer
• Leadership and supervision
• Professional conduct and ethical decision-making
• Fire department organization and structure
• Personnel management
• Conflict resolution
• Performance management
• Written and verbal communication
• Company-level training
• Recordkeeping and report preparation
• Fire inspections and pre-incident planning
• Building construction and fire behaviour
• Occupational health and safety
• Community and public relations
• Emergency service delivery
• Initial incident command responsibilities
• Company-level operational decision-making
• Scenario-based leadership exercises

Fire Officer I is intended for experienced firefighters, acting officers, crew leaders, lieutenants, captains, and individuals preparing to compete for their first formal supervisory position.

Emergency Services Instructor I is not required to take the Fire Officer I course. However, students must complete ESI I before they can receive IFSAC and Pro Board certification for Fire Officer I.

Fire Officer II

NFPA 1021 Fire Officer II is advanced company officer training intended for individuals who have completed Fire Officer I and are preparing to manage multiple companies, more complex incidents, and broader organizational responsibilities.

Fire Officer II expands beyond the supervision of a single company. Students develop the ability to coordinate personnel and resources across multiple units, contribute to organizational planning, manage programs, and make decisions that affect larger portions of the department.

Training may include:

• Leadership of multiple fire companies
• Advanced personnel management
• Human resources administration
• Employee development and performance
• Policy and procedure implementation
• Administrative and operational planning
• Budget and resource considerations
• Program management
• Community risk reduction
• Media and public communication
• Interagency coordination
• Complex emergency operations
• Multi-company incident management
• Post-incident analysis
• Preliminary investigations
• Organizational safety and risk management
• Advanced tabletop and command scenarios

Fire Officer II is intended for experienced company officers, captains, senior officers, and personnel preparing for positions involving multi-company supervision, program administration, or more complex incident command responsibilities.

Fire Officer I is a prerequisite for admission into Fire Officer II.

Emergency Services Instructor I is not required to take the Fire Officer II course. However, students must complete ESI I before they can receive IFSAC and Pro Board certification for Fire Officer II.

Incident Safety Officer

The NFPA 1521 Incident Safety Officer course prepares emergency services personnel to monitor and manage responder safety during emergency incidents.

The Incident Safety Officer operates as a member of the command staff and supports the Incident Commander by identifying hazards, assessing operational risk, monitoring changing conditions, and recommending actions that reduce the likelihood of responder injury or death.

Training may include:

• Roles and responsibilities of the Incident Safety Officer
• Integration within the Incident Command System
• Risk-versus-benefit analysis
• Hazard identification and prioritization
• Fire behaviour and changing incident conditions
• Building construction and collapse potential
• Accountability and personnel tracking
• Personal protective equipment
• Rehabilitation and responder welfare
• Hazardous energy and environmental conditions
• Apparatus placement and scene safety
• Collapse zones and exclusion zones
• Tactical monitoring
• Incident action plans
• Communication with the Incident Commander
• Emergency traffic and evacuation procedures
• Mayday and rapid intervention considerations
• Post-incident documentation and review

The ISO course is intended for company officers, chief officers, designated safety officers, incident commanders, senior firefighters, and emergency services personnel who may be assigned responsibility for responder safety during incidents.

The Incident Safety Officer course may be taken separately from Fire Officer I and II, subject to CFRC and FDSOA certification eligibility requirements.

Students must complete all required independent or online coursework before attending their scheduled in-person training, examination, or evaluation.

All in-person training and evaluations are hosted at the Canadian Fire Rescue College campus at 3420 22 Street in Springbrook, Red Deer County, Alberta.

Wait List Options

Due to the specialized nature of Fire Officer and Incident Safety Officer training, class sizes may be limited.

Applicants may select a Wait List option when scheduled classes are unavailable or full. Additional practical sessions may be organized based on instructor availability and the number of qualified applicants on the wait list.

Wait List applicants will be contacted when sufficient enrolment and instructional resources are available. Placement on a wait list does not guarantee that a course will run within a particular period or that the proposed schedule will suit every applicant.

2027 Course Schedule

Class 271FO1: FIRE OFFICER I

Weekend schedule with a separate final evaluation day

Application Deadline: November 23, 2026

First Day of In-Person Classes: January 23, 2027

Last Day of In-Person Classes: January 24, 2027

Fire Officer I Written Examination: January 24, 2027

IFSAC/Pro Board Evaluation: February 21, 2027

_______________________________

Class 271FO2: FIRE OFFICER II

Weekend schedule with a separate final evaluation day

Application Deadline: December 6, 2026

First Day of In-Person Classes: February 6, 2027

Last Day of In-Person Classes: February 7, 2027

Fire Officer II Written Examination: February 7, 2027

IFSAC/Pro Board Evaluation: February 21, 2027

_______________________________

Class 271ISO: INCIDENT SAFETY OFFICER

One scheduled in-person examination and certification-testing day

Application Deadline: December 20, 2026

Incident Safety Officer Written Examination: February 20, 2027

Pro Board Certification Testing Through FDSOA: February 20, 2027

Incident Safety Officer Pro Board testing is coordinated through the Fire Department Safety Officers Association and is not administered through the Government of Alberta.

_______________________________

Class 273FO1: FIRE OFFICER I

Weekend schedule with a separate final evaluation day

Application Deadline: July 25, 2027

First Day of In-Person Classes: September 25, 2027

Last Day of In-Person Classes: September 26, 2027

Fire Officer I Written Examination: September 26, 2027

IFSAC/Pro Board Evaluation: October 24, 2027

_______________________________

Class 273FO2: FIRE OFFICER II

Weekend schedule with a separate final evaluation day

Application Deadline: August 9, 2027

First Day of In-Person Classes: October 9, 2027

Last Day of In-Person Classes: October 10, 2027

Fire Officer II Written Examination: October 10, 2027

IFSAC/Pro Board Evaluation: October 24, 2027

_______________________________

Class 274ISO: INCIDENT SAFETY OFFICER

One scheduled in-person examination and certification-testing day

Application Deadline: August 23, 2027

Incident Safety Officer Written Examination: October 23, 2027

Pro Board Certification Testing Through FDSOA: October 23, 2027

Incident Safety Officer Pro Board testing is coordinated through the Fire Department Safety Officers Association and is not administered through the Government of Alberta.

 Canadian Fire Rescue College maintains a comprehensive admissions policy that all prospective students are encouraged to review prior to applying. Key eligibility requirements for this program include:

Fire Officer I Admission Requirements

Key eligibility requirements include:

• NFPA 1001 Firefighter I certification through IFSAC or Pro Board
• NFPA 1001 Firefighter II certification through IFSAC or Pro Board
• Legal right to work in Canada
• Physical ability to participate safely in required activities
• Physician’s medical clearance where required by CFRC policy
• English-language proficiency in accordance with the CFRC Language Proficiency Policy
• High school diploma, GED, or approved mature admission
• Proof that the applicant is at least 18 years of age
• Standard First Aid and CPR Level C, or an accepted equivalent or higher certification
• Completion of required online or independent coursework before attending in-person training

Emergency Services Instructor I is not required for admission into the Fire Officer I course.

Students may complete Fire Officer I training and evaluation without ESI I. However, IFSAC and Pro Board Fire Officer I certification cannot be issued until the student has successfully completed ESI I and provided acceptable proof of certification.

Fire Officer II Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the general Fire Officer admission requirements and provide proof of:

• Successful completion of Fire Officer I
• NFPA 1021 Fire Officer I certification or another credential accepted by CFRC
• Completion of required Fire Officer II online or independent coursework before attending in-person training

Fire Officer I is a prerequisite for Fire Officer II.

Emergency Services Instructor I is not required for admission into the Fire Officer II course. However, IFSAC and Pro Board Fire Officer II certification cannot be issued until the student has successfully completed ESI I and provided acceptable proof of certification.

Incident Safety Officer Admission Requirements

Incident Safety Officer applicants should have:

• Relevant fire service or emergency response training
• Familiarity with the Incident Command System
• Sufficient operational knowledge to understand incident hazards and emergency-response activities
• Ability to complete required preparation before the scheduled examination
• Any additional documentation or experience required by CFRC or FDSOA for Pro Board certification

Prospective ISO students should contact Admissions to confirm current FDSOA certification eligibility before applying.

CFRC does not currently accept international students into this program.

Canadian Fire Rescue College offers payment plan options across all training programs, allowing students to manage tuition costs without paying the full amount upfront. Eligible students may apply for a payment plan as part of the program application process.

Our programs are considered part-time and are not currently eligible for government-funded student loans or grants. Students typically arrange financing through personal savings or private loans from banks or financial institutions.

2027 Pricing

Fire Officer I: NFPA 1021 Fire Officer Level I

Application Fee: $150.00

Remaining Tuition: $1,350.00

TOTAL: $1,500.00 (Application Fee forms part of overall tuition)

Fire Officer II: NFPA 1021 Fire Officer Level II

Application Fee: $150.00

Remaining Tuition: $1,350.00

TOTAL: $1,500.00 (Application Fee forms part of overall tuition)

Incident Safety Officer: NFPA 1521 Incident Safety Officer

Application Fee: $150.00

Remaining Tuition: $150.00

TOTAL: $300.00 (Application Fee forms part of overall tuition)

The 2027 tuition figures above do not include any separate application, textbook, uniform, certification, examination, meal, or travel costs unless specifically stated by CFRC.

Tuition must be paid by the applicable deadline before students attend the in-person component.

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

The delivery method differs by training level.

Fire Officer I

Fire Officer I is delivered in a blended format, combining self-paced online theory with scheduled in-person instruction and a separate formal evaluation day.

Online Component

The Fire Officer I online component includes:

• Approximately 32 hours of self-paced online learning
• Foundational theory required to transition from firefighter to first-line company officer
• Leadership, supervision, communications, administration, safety, and emergency-operations concepts
• Interactive visual and audio learning activities
• Required textbook-based study
• Preparation for in-person scenarios, written testing, and final skills evaluation

Students must successfully complete the Fire Officer I online component before attending in-person training.

In-Person Component

The 2027 Fire Officer I schedule includes:

• Two days of in-person instruction
• Scenario-based leadership and company officer exercises
• Tabletop incident-management activities
• Fire Officer I written examination
• One separate IFSAC/Pro Board evaluation day
• Complimentary on-campus accommodation

Students who have not completed ESI I may participate in the course and evaluation but will not be eligible to receive IFSAC or Pro Board Fire Officer I certification until the ESI I prerequisite has been completed.

Fire Officer II

Fire Officer II is delivered in a blended format, combining self-paced online theory with scheduled in-person instruction and a separate formal evaluation day.

Online Component

The Fire Officer II online component includes:

• Approximately 32 hours of self-paced online learning
• Advanced theory related to managing multiple companies and broader organizational responsibilities
• Personnel, administrative, program-management, communication, and complex incident-management concepts
• Interactive visual and audio learning activities
• Required textbook-based study
• Preparation for in-person scenarios, written testing, and final skills evaluation

Students must successfully complete the Fire Officer II online component before attending in-person training.

In-Person Component

The 2027 Fire Officer II schedule includes:

• Two days of in-person instruction
• Advanced leadership and administrative exercises
• Multi-company and complex incident scenarios
• Fire Officer II written examination
• One separate IFSAC/Pro Board evaluation day
• Complimentary on-campus accommodation

Students who have not completed ESI I may participate in the course and evaluation but will not be eligible to receive IFSAC or Pro Board Fire Officer II certification until the ESI I prerequisite has been completed.

Incident Safety Officer

The Incident Safety Officer program combines required preparation and textbook study with one scheduled in-person written examination and certification-testing day.

The ISO component includes:

• Independent or assigned preparation before attendance
• Required study using the prescribed Incident Safety Officer textbook
• Incident-safety principles and operational risk concepts
• Written examination
• FDSOA Pro Board certification testing
• Complimentary on-campus accommodation where applicable

ISO candidates must complete all assigned preparation before attending the scheduled examination day.

ISO certification testing is coordinated through FDSOA rather than the Government of Alberta. Students should confirm examination registration, fees, documentation, and certification requirements before attending.

The Fire Officer and Incident Safety Officer Training Program covers three professional qualification levels:

• NFPA 1021 Fire Officer I
• NFPA 1021 Fire Officer II
• NFPA 1521 Incident Safety Officer

Fire Officer I and II

Successful Fire Officer I and Fire Officer II students may be eligible to apply for and receive IFSAC and Pro Board certification for the applicable level.

Emergency Services Instructor I is a certification prerequisite for IFSAC and Pro Board Fire Officer certification.

Students who do not yet hold ESI I may still:

• Enrol in the applicable Fire Officer course
• Complete the required online training
• Attend in-person instruction
• Complete written examinations
• Participate in formal evaluations

However, the Fire Officer I or II IFSAC and Pro Board certification cannot be issued until the student completes ESI I and provides acceptable proof of that prerequisite.

Fire Officer I is also a prerequisite for Fire Officer II.

Incident Safety Officer

Successful ISO candidates may be eligible to receive Pro Board Incident Safety Officer certification through the Fire Department Safety Officers Association.

ISO Pro Board testing is not conducted through the Government of Alberta.

Certification eligibility may be subject to FDSOA application, examination, experience, documentation, and fee requirements. Students should confirm these requirements before enrolling.

IFSAC and Pro Board certifications are widely recognized by fire departments and emergency services organizations. Individual departments, municipalities, provinces, states, and other employers may establish their own certification, experience, medical, licensing, and promotion requirements.

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

Fire Officer and Incident Safety Officer training supports the development of leadership, supervisory, command, administrative, and incident-safety competencies within the fire and emergency services.

Fire Officer I

Fire Officer I may support:

• Acting officer assignments
• Crew leader responsibilities
• Lieutenant or captain development
• Supervision of a single fire company
• Company-level training and administration
• Initial incident command responsibilities
• Promotional eligibility within some departments
• Fire Officer II

Fire Officer II may support:

• Senior company officer responsibilities
• Captain or chief officer development
• Management of multiple companies
• Program and personnel administration
• Complex incident-management responsibilities
• Broader departmental leadership roles
• Further promotional advancement
• Incident Safety Officer

Incident Safety Officer training may support:

• Designated incident-safety assignments
• Command staff responsibilities
• Departmental safety programs
• Complex emergency operations
• Safety monitoring at fires, rescues, hazardous materials incidents, and other emergency scenes
• Professional development for company and chief officers

Individual departments determine the qualifications required for promotion, acting assignments, command roles, and incident-safety positions.

This program is exempt from licensing through Alberta Advanced Education due to its short duration, and due to its skills updating nature.

Canadian Fire Rescue College provides free, on-site student accommodation to support enrolled students during their firefighter and emergency services training. Single-occupancy rooms and shared facilities are available on campus, allowing students to focus on learning, rest, and performance without the added stress of securing housing.

Click here to learn more about student accommodation at CFRC.

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

Class B uniform: 

• Available for purchase via the college IN ADVANCE - they are custom ordered and shipped from a third-party supplier so they 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 come with CFRC patches sewn on, and pants hemmed - $178.75 for each full set (not including black work/station boots).

_______________________________

Required Fire Officer I & II Textbook 

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

• Available for purchase from the AFCA Bookstore in E-Book format - $119.47. The Print version can also be purchased there for $130.46.

_______________________________

Required Incident Safety Officer Textbook

Fire Department Incident Safety Officer, Revised Third Edition. Author: David W. Dodson. 

• Available for purchase from the AFCA Bookstore in print format - $175.15.

_______________________________

IFSAC and Pro Board Certification fees: 

• Payable to the Province of Alberta - $60 per certificate (1 certificate per level of this program)

Food during your stay: 

• CFRC offers an optional weekday meal plan at a cost of $50 per day.
• Students should submit meal orders and communicate allergies, dietary restrictions, and food preferences directly to the CFRC culinary team.
• NOTE* There is no meal-service provided by the college on weekends or holidays.

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.