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:
Ontario College Diploma
4 Semesters (2 Years)
January, September
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.
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:
When you graduate from this program, these are the types of career options you can explore:
Fire Service
Fire Engineering Technician
Program of Study
| Course Code | Course Name | Weekly Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | ||
| ALG191 | Fire Analytics I | 6 |
| COM101 | Communicating Across Contexts | 3 |
| or COM111 | Communicating Across Contexts (Enriched) | |
| FPF190 | Fire Protection Fundamentals | 3 |
| FSS190 | Fire Sprinkler Systems - Applied I | 5 |
| OBC190 | Building Construction and The Effects of Fire | 4 |
| Semester 2 | ||
| FAS290 | Electricity and Electronics for Fire Systems | 6 |
| FDY293 | Fire Dynamics and Ignition Sources | 3 |
| OFC395 | Ontario Fire Code - General | 4 |
Firefighting Specialization only | ||
| IFF290 | Introduction to Firefighter Wellness and Fitness | 4 |
| IFS490 | Introduction to the Fire Service | 3 |
Technician Specialization Only | ||
| CAD290 | Computer Aided Design I | 4 |
| FSS290 | Fire Sprinkler Systems - Applied II | 5 |
| Semester 3 | ||
| AFS390 | Alternative Fire Suppression Systems | 4 |
| FAS390 | Fire Alarm Systems - Design | 5 |
| OBC395 | Ontario Building Code - Fire Protection I | 3 |
Firefighting Specialization only | ||
| ITR490 | Introduction to Technical Rescue | 4 |
| WFS490 | Wildland Fire Suppression | 4 |
Technician Specialization Only | ||
| CAD390 | Computer-Aided Design II | 3 |
| FLS590 | NFPA 1035 Level I - Fire and Life Safety Educator | 3 |
| Semester 4 | ||
| FFI693 | Fundamentals of Fire Investigation | 3 |
| FSP490 | Fire Safety Plans and Emergency Planning | 2 |
| HOM390 | NFPA 1072 Operations - Hazardous Materials | 4 |
| TEC400 | Technical Communications | 3 |
| plus: General Education Course (1) | 3 | |
Firefighting Specialization only | ||
| CFI693 | NFPA 1031 - Level I Fire Inspector | 3 |
| OFC690 | Ontario Fire Code - FPPA Inspections, Legal and Courtroom Procedures | 3 |
Technician Specialization only | ||
| FAS490 | Fire Alarm Systems - Troubleshooting | 3 |
| PRM693 | Project Management | 3 |
This Seneca program has been validated by the Credential Validation Service as an Ontario College Credential as required by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
As a graduate, you will be prepared to reliably demonstrate the ability to:
Canadian citizens and permanent residents may satisfy the English and/or mathematics requirements for this program through successful Seneca pre-admission testing.
International admissions requirements vary by program and in addition to English requirements, programs may require credits in mathematics, biology, and chemistry at a level equivalent to Ontario’s curriculum, or a postsecondary degree or diploma, equivalent to an Ontario university or college. Program-specific pre-requisite courses and credentials are listed with the admission requirements on each program page. To review the academic requirements please visit: Academic Requirements - Seneca, Toronto, Canada (senecapolytechnic.ca).
As a leader in academic pathways, we offer a range of options that will allow you to take your credential further in another Seneca program or a program at a partner institution.
To learn more about your eligibility, visit the Academic Pathways web page.
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