Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training

Train with some of the best in the province at Northern College. The Pre-Service Firefighter program stands apart, offering a state-of-the-art training experience in partnership with the Timmins Fire Department. Students gain hands-on access to the infrastructure and equipment of a working fire station, immersing themselves in real-world fire service operations. With a dynamic blend of labs, field placements, and vocational courses, graduates complete this intensive one-year program at peak performance, ready to tackle any challenge.

From executing rope rescues and forcing entry through barricaded doors to navigating high-intensity live-burn scenarios in the program’s dedicated burn building, students continuously push their limits. The curriculum demands composure under pressure, adaptability in crisis situations, and teamwork in multi-disciplinary emergency responses. Beyond the classroom, students have the opportunity to serve as volunteer firefighters, gaining invaluable real-world experience.

The program culminates in an immersive six-week hands-on training experience, where students refine their expertise through advanced fire and rescue evolution exercises. By the time they graduate, they are fully prepared to step into the fire service with confidence, skill, and the resilience required to protect lives and property.

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent.
• Grade 12 English, college or university.

What You’ll Learn

• Essential professional communication skills for both educational and workplace settings.
• Practical firefighting skills, and how fire behaves in a variety of environments.
• How to stabilize patients dealing with medical situations.
• How to handle potentially hazardous materials.