Wildland Firefighter 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: 

• 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 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. Note* The province of Alberta is currently not accredited to the NFPA 1140 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 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 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 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. Dormitories feature private rooms, but shared washroom and kitchen facilities. 

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 to ensure that ample supervision and guidance is provided for students.

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 - 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: 

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. 

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

The CFRC Breaks down pricing for the Wildland Firefighter 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. 

Wildland Firefighter: NFPA 1140

Application Fee: $150.00

Remaining Tuition: $795.00

TOTAL: $945.00 (Application Fee forms part of overall tuition) 

Wildland Firefighter: BCWS S100 and S185

Application Fee: $150.00

Remaining Tuition: $245.00

TOTAL: $395.00 (Application Fee forms part of overall tuition) 

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: 

• 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.