Wildland Firefighter Training Program
Dig ditches, spray some water, and save towns!
If you like the idea of digging ditches and spraying water around all day in the hot sun, boy do we have the course for you! All jokes aside, this program is designed to prepare firefighters to respond to wildfires - particularly those in the wildland urban interface (where fields and trees meet up with houses and such).
The Blended Wildland Fire Fighter Training 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 Wildland Fire Fighter Training Program can be taken by individuals who are currently employed as firefighters, or by individuals looking to get into the wildland firefighting profession. With that being said, most provinces have their own in-house wildland firefighter training that successful applicants will still need to complete.
Two Course Options:
- NFPA 1140 Wildland Fire Fighter Level I,
and/or
- BC Wildfire Service S-100 and S-185 Basic Fire Suppression and Fire Line Safety
You can choose to take both levels of training, or pick the one best suited to fit your needs.
(Note* The BCWS S100 training is not blended, and is offered in an in-class/field only format)
Click throught the menu's below to learn more about this Wildland Fire Fighter training program.
What do you want to know?
The CFRC has a pretty comprehensive admissions policy which students should review before applying. The highlights of the requirements for this program are:
- 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)
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 Levels I and II (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.
- 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 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 1051 Firefighter Level I. Note* The province of Alberta is currently not accredited to the NFPA 1051 Level II, therefore only the Level I portion of the program is covered during the practical and testing.
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 fire station. Accommodations are included with tuition. You will be staying at one of two fire stations.
- 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 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 enroll 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 intends 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.
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 online training (NFPA 1140 only) 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 242S100 - S100 & S185:
Application Deadline: October 22, 2024
S100 Start Date: November 5, 2024
S100 End Date: November 6, 2024
Class 242S100a - S100 Annual Recertification:
Application Deadline: October 22, 2024
S100a Start Date: November 6, 2024
S100a End Date: November 6, 2024
Class 242WF - NFPA 1140:
Application Deadline: October 14, 2024
NFPA 1140 Start Date: November 7, 2024
NFPA 1140 End Date: November 8, 2024
NFPA 1140 Final IFSAC/Pro Board Evaluations: November 9, 2024
Class 251WF1 - NFPA 1140 Wildland Firefighter Level I:
Application Deadline: February 26, 2025
NFPA 1140 Start Date: March 26, 2025
NFPA 1140 End Date: March 27, 2025
NFPA 1140 Final IFSAC/Pro Board Evaluations: March 29, 2025
Class 252WF1 - NFPA 1140 Wildland Firefighter Level I:
Application Deadline: May 25, 2025
NFPA 1140 Start Date: June 25, 2025
NFPA 1140 End Date: June 26, 2025
NFPA 1140 Final IFSAC/Pro Board Evaluations: June 28, 2025
Class 253WF1 - NFPA 1140 Wildland Firefighter Level I:
Application Deadline: August 24, 2025
NFPA 1140 Start Date: September 24, 2025
NFPA 1140 End Date: September 25, 2025
NFPA 1140 Final IFSAC/Pro Board Evaluations: September 27, 2025
Class 254WF1 - NFPA 1140 Wildland Firefighter Level I:
Application Deadline: November 15, 2025
NFPA 1140 Start Date: December 15, 2025
NFPA 1140 End Date: December 16, 2025
NFPA 1140 Final IFSAC/Pro Board Evaluations: January 3, 2026
*For NFPA 1140 class: students must successfully complete the online training program prior to attending the practical component.
NFPA 1140 Wildland Firefighter Training Program:
The CFRC breaks down pricing for the NFPA 1140 Wildland Fire Fighter Training program into two types of payments so students don't have to pay a large sum all at once:
NFPA 1140 Wildland Fire Fighter I & II - Online: $315.00
NFPA 1140 Wildland Fire Fighter I - Practical: $630.00
TOTAL: $945.00
BCWS S100 and S185 Training Program:
S100 and S185 Course Fee: $385.00
Total: $385.00
S100a annual recertification fee: $160.00
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:
Firefighter's Handbook On Wildland Firefighting Strategy, Tactics and Safety, 4th Edition Textbook (NFPA 1140 Students only):
- Available for purchase from the AFCA Bookstore in Print format - $135. The E-Book version may be purchased directly from IFSTA - $92.
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:
- This can depend on many variables such as diet and preferences - $150 is a good budget for 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.