NFPA 1140 Wildland Firefighter Level I & BCWS S-100 / S-185

Students can begin online training (NFPA 1140 only - no online component for S100) 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: 

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Class 261WF1 - NFPA 1140 Wildland Firefighter Level I:

Application Deadline: February 25, 2026

NFPA 1140 Start Date: March 25, 2026

NFPA 1140 End Date: March 26, 2026

NFPA 1140 Final IFSAC/Pro Board Evaluations: March 28, 2026

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Class 261S100 - BCWS S100 and S185:

Application Deadline: April 4, 2026

S100 Start Date: April 11, 2026

S100 End Date: April 12, 2026

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Class 262S100 - BCWS S100 and S185:

Application Deadline: May 9, 2026

S100 Start Date: May 16, 2026

S100 End Date: May 17, 2026

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Class 262WF1 - NFPA 1140 Wildland Firefighter Level I:

Application Deadline: May 24, 2026

NFPA 1140 Start Date: June 24, 2026

NFPA 1140 End Date: June 25, 2026

NFPA 1140 Final IFSAC/Pro Board Evaluations: June 27, 2026

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Class 263WF1 - NFPA 1140 Wildland Firefighter Level I:

Application Deadline: August 23, 2026

NFPA 1140 Start Date: September 23, 2026

NFPA 1140 End Date: September 24, 2026

NFPA 1140 Final IFSAC/Pro Board Evaluations: September 26, 2026

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Class 264WF1 - NFPA 1140 Wildland Firefighter Level I:

Application Deadline: October 26, 2026

NFPA 1140 Start Date: November 26, 2026

NFPA 1140 End Date: November 27, 2026

NFPA 1140 Final IFSAC/Pro Board Evaluations: November 28, 2026

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*For NFPA 1140 class: students must successfully complete the online training program prior to attending the practical component.* 

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

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:

• Legal Right to work in Canada (we do not currently accept international students for Wildland Firefighting Programs)
• Physical ability to perform firefighting duties (require doctors medical clearance)
• English Language Proficiency (in accordance to the CFRC Language Proficiency Policy)
• Proof of age (minimum 18 years of age or parental consent)
• Standard First Aid and CPR Level C (or equivalent/higher - from an approved training provider)

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.

2026 Pricing:

Wildland Firefighter: NFPA 1140

Application Fee: $150.00

Remaining Tuition: $800.00

TOTAL: $950.00 (Application Fee forms part of overall tuition) 

Wildland Firefighter: BCWS S100 and S185

Application Fee: $150.00

Remaining Tuition: $275.00

TOTAL: $425.00 (Application Fee forms part of overall tuition) 

S100a annual recertification fee: $175.00

These tuition payments must be made by certain deadlines prior to attending the practical component of the course. 

The Wildland Fire Fighter 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.

NFPA 1140 (1051) Online Component:

• Approximately 64 hours of self-paced online learning
• Provides you with the basic theoretical knowledge of Wildland Firefighting
• Meets the theory learning requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1051 standard, Firefighter Level I (now consolidated in the NFPA 1140 standard)
• You can register and begin the Wildland Firefighter training program at any time, no registration deadlines or set class dates
• No due dates! You can complete the Wildland Firefighter training program at your own pace
• Interactive visual and audio learning aids developed in partnership with Action Training Systems Inc.
• You must purchase the required Wildland Fire Fighter 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.

NFPA 1140 (1051) Practical Component:

• Approximately 24 hours of in-person skills-based instruction with 4-8 hours of formal final skills evaluation.
• Must successfully complete the CFRC Wildland Fire Fighter - 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 Wildland Firefighter skills.
• Stay at the college dorm facilities. Accommodations are included with tuition.
• Receive Pro-Board testing. If successful, you will be eligible to receive IFSAC and Pro-Board certifications for NFPA 1140 Firefighter Level I. 

The BCWS S100 Wildland Fire Fighter Training program is delivered in traditional format, meaning that the entirety of the course is delivered in-person.

S100 and S185:

• Approximately 16 hours of in-person lecture and skills-based instruction 
• 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 Wildland Firefighter skills.
• Fight actual wildfires (season dependent) during your training, and learn how to properly size up a fireline.
• Apply your Wildfire skills to actual 911 calls! Yes, the CFRC encourages students to respond to emergencies with the local Fire Department. 
• Stay at the college dorms. Accommodations are included with tuition. 
• Receive BCWS S100 "Red Cards" upon successful completion of the course. These cards are required for anyone wishing to fight wildfires in BC.

S100a Annual Refresher:

• Approximately 8 hourse of in-class/field training. 
• Must have S100 certificate dated within 5 years
• Will receive new S100 certificate upon successful completion

NFPA 1140 Training Program:

There is one National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) level covered in the NFPA 1140 Wildland Fire Fighter training program, it is:

NFPA 1140 (1051) Wildland Firefighter Level I

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

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

BCWS S100 & S185 Training Program:

Students who complete the S100 training program will receive:

BCWS S100 Red Card

Students may also enrol in the S100a annual refresher course if they have an S100 "Red Card" that is not over 5 years old. A new "Red Card" will be issued upon successful completion of the annual refresher course.

This certification is required by all individuals who intend to fight wildfires in British Columbia.

NFPA 1140 Training Program:

This Wildland Firefighter Training program provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to safely action wildfires. These qualifications may be required for certain emergency response personnel in municipal settings, and may be preferred by some provincial wildfire agencies. This training is not intended to replace provincial wildfire training. 

BCWS S100 Training Program:

This training is intended for anyone who plans to fight wildfires in BC. The S100 certification is the standard required for BC Type III Wildland Firefighters, and graduates of this program have the basic qualifications necessary to pursue a wildland firefighter career at this level. 

This program is exempt from licensing. 

 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 which are not included with their tuition are:

IFSTA's Ground Cover Firefighting for Structural Firefighters, 1 Edition Textbook (NFPA 1140 Students only): 

• Available for purchase from the AFCA Bookstore in Print format for $126 or in an E-Book version for $97. 

IFSAC and Pro Board Certification fees (NFPA 1140 Students only): 

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

Food during your stay: 

• The College kitchen provides 3 meals per day if you subscribe to a meal-plan (optional). The meal-subscription for this course cost $90. You can register and pay for meal plans after being accepted into a program.
• 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.

Computer Access:

• The online component of the program requires use of a computer with high speed internet connection. Most students utilize a laptop, and bring it with them to the practical component for further study. Laptops can range in price from $150 to $3,000. A computer is NOT required for the BCWS S100 course.

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.