Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training
Apply for September 2025 and get your chance to win $5,000 toward tuition* See details.
Program Overview
Humber’s Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training certificate program will help prepare you for the demands and rewards of becoming a firefighter. At the start of the program, you will learn how fire departments operate and the kind of equipment used on the job. You will then go more in depth studying fire behaviour and combustion chemistry, firefighting techniques, rescue strategies, emergency care for patients, hazardous materials awareness, and firefighter health and wellness. You’ll also experience the everyday reality of firefighting by practising your skills in a burn tower. Faculty, who are certified fire service instructors and active firefighters, will prepare you for the field by sharing their extensive experience and expertise. Gaining employment as a firefighter is very competitive. Completion of this program does not guarantee employment.
This program is not available to international applicants.
The Humber Advantage
Industry and Community Partnerships
In the second semester, our students continue to enhance their practical learning taught by Humber College Fire instructors at a Greater Toronto Area Fire Department Training Centre. Students will utilize propane props, auto extrication pads, and access a burn building to develop their skills.
We Know What It Takes
The Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training program at Humber is designed, developed and delivered extensively through hands-on experiences. Curriculum is delivered by professional and passionate instructors, who one day, might be standing next to you as a firefighter team member. Their goal is to teach you thoroughly and reinforce the learning through drills.
The Humber Experience
The Right Fit
In the latest program video current professor and retired Chief, Dave Sadler, comments on what makes a good firefighter: I think what makes a good firefighter is the same thing that makes you a good person. If you're caring, compassionate, committed, dedicated and professional, there's a good chance you'll be a good firefighter. But you also need to be curious. You also want to meet a challenge and overcome obstacles. Ultimately what you need to be is driven to succeed.
Testimonials
Interested in Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training at Humber College yet want to know more before enrolling?
Your Career
After graduation and becoming certified, you are eligible to apply for a municipal firefighter position. Firefighters work in the interest of public safety and are responsible for rapidly and efficiently performing various duties under emergency conditions. Duties can include responding to fires, medical emergencies, public education, training activities, post-fire salvage and cleanup, pre-planning activities, as well as equipment and station maintenance. You will also gain knowledge in fire prevention and public education that will help keep communities safe.
Graduates have been hired by municipal fire departments across the province and the country, as well as by the Canadian Forces.
Professional Accreditations & Recognition
Certification Exams
Graduates of the program are eligible to write the NFPA 1001 Firefighter Level I & II and NFPA 1072 Hazardous Materials Awareness & Operations certification exams. Humber College will host these exams after graduation.
Additional requirements may apply.
Note: The requirements for the additional credential(s) are determined by the granting body, which is independent from the College. Students are encouraged to obtain the specific requirements directly from the granting body before enrolling.
Program Availability
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2025 | Course-Based | North | Closed |
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | Block-Based | North | Open |
| Jan 2026 | Block-Based | North | Open |
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2025 | Course-Based | North | Not Available |
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | Block-Based | North | Not Available |
| Jan 2026 | Block-Based | North | Not Available |
Humber is a publicly funded institution. International students graduating from a PGWP Eligible program at Humber are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
International students in Canada could be eligible for an automatic scholarship*. Apply now!
Check out the step-by-step Admissions Road Map for helpful information and additional resources.
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2025 | Course-Based | North | Not Available |
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | Block-Based | North | Not Available |
| Jan 2026 | Block-Based | North | Not Available |
Humber is a publicly funded institution. International students graduating from a PGWP Eligible program at Humber are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
International applicants outside of Canada can apply through Humber International. Check out the step-by-step Admissions Road Map for helpful information and additional resources.
Upcoming Recruitment Events
Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training Program
Watch the video below to find out more about the Pre-Service Firefighter Education & Training program and see our state-of-the-art facilities.
Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber Polytechnic reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.
