This program is offered in Seneca's hybrid delivery format with some courses available in Seneca's flexible delivery format. Some coursework is online and some must be completed in person. Students will need to come on campus to complete in-person learning requirements. For courses offered in the flexible delivery format, professors use innovative learning spaces and technology to teach students in a classroom or lab and broadcast in real time to students attending remotely. In flexible courses, students have the choice of coming on campus or learning online.
Are you interested in pursuing a career in firefighting? This two-year diploma program will help you establish the fundamentals to support your career in firefighting or as a fire protection engineering technician. Your studies will include introduction to the fire service, firefighter fitness and building/fire code analysis. You will also gain hands-on experiential learning in the areas of technical rescue, wildland firefighting and fire alarm and suppression systems. This diploma provides you with a solid foundation of fire protection principles to fortify your firefighter career aspirations while helping to explore the wider fire protection industry. After the first semester, a separate fire protection engineering technician stream is available for those interested in pursuing the fire alarm and suppression system design and maintenance career options.
Graduates of this program have the option to transfer into the Firefighter, Pre-Service Education and Training program. This two-year diploma obtained through this program is a preferred qualification for many firefighter applications in Ontario.
In providing a real-world experience, indoor and outdoor lab-based subjects will require the use of appropriate industry health and safety equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE).
This unique program allows you to focus on your desired firefighting or fire alarm technician career aspirations. Since 1972, we have continuously evolved to meet the needs of fire departments and other industry partners so that you are highly employable. With course topics, delivery methods, career opportunities and expert faculty as diverse as our student population, your opportunity for success begins at Seneca Polytechnic.
It is strongly recommended that you have a laptop before the first day of this program. It should include the following minimum technical specifications:
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:
Perform fundamental firefighter tasks including firefighter fitness, fire suppression techniques and special rescue.
Confirm building and fire code compliance related to building construction and fire safety systems
Analyze essential fire dynamics principles
Perform fundamental fire investigation tasks to determine potential cause and origin
Perform fundamental fire inspection tasks to determine life safety compliance
Troubleshoot fire protection alarm and sprinkler systems
Collaborate and work in a team
Learn more: Seneca’s program delivery options and how courses in this program will be delivered each term.
| Start in | Location | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 2025 | Newnham | Open |
| Sept. 2025 | Newnham | Open |
| Jan. 2026 | Newnham | Open |
| Start in | Location | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 2025 | Newnham | Open |
| Sept. 2025 | Newnham | Open |
| Jan. 2026 | Newnham | Open |
International students: review Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility before choosing program and course delivery.
Please note that availability is subject to change and a seat is not guaranteed.
When you graduate from this program, these are the types of career options you can explore:
Fire Service
Fire Engineering Technician
NFPA 1072 Hazardous Materials Awareness & Operations (IFSAC and ProBoard)
NFPA 1031 Fire Inspector Level I (IFSAC and ProBoard)
NFPA 1035 Public Educator Level I (IFSAC and ProBoard)
Canadian Fire Alarm Association (CFAA) recognition and course equivalencies
BCIN Fire Protection (MMAH) (exam prep)
