Fire Training Certificate Program

Our 23-week full-time Fire Training certificate program is very hands-on and provides instruction on the skills, knowledge and certificates you require to be a strong candidate for entry-level positions in firefighting, industrial safety, medical first response, and more. Along with fire and rescue services, employment opportunities exist in oil and gas, forestry and mining industries.

Based in Cranbrook, BC, this program is delivered primarily at the College’s Gold Creek campus and on-site at the City of Cranbrook fire hall and live-fire training facility, providing a unique and authentic training environment. Your instructors have extensive experience and training as firefighters or emergency services personnel. Upon successful completion of the program you will receive a College of the Rockies Fire Training certificate along with a host of ProBoard-accredited certificates including NFPA 1001 Firefighter Level 1 and 2, NFPA 1072 Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations, Emergency Medical Responder, and more.

This program includes 3 types of courses:

• A. NFPA based courses: The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) is the primary source of consensus codes and standards for the Fire Service in North America. The Pro Board is an internationally-recognized organization for accrediting NFPA standards. Successful completion of NFPA-based courses at COTR merits accreditation by the Pro Board and COTR academic credit.
• B. Other Fire Services-related Courses: These courses, though not Pro Board accredited, are recognized with other COTR and/or industry-standard certifications.
• C. Continuing Education courses: These courses add considerable value to the Firefighter’s resume and knowledge base. Although most of these courses result in industry-recognized certification, they do not earn COTR academic credit.

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Admission Requirements and Program Overview

View admission requirements, program completion requirements and individual course information.

Note: The information for this program is currently set to display information for the 2026/27 academic year. To view other years, choose from the sort feature from the “select calendar” drop-down.

View the pdf version of the official program outline.

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Program Content

Program components provide students with recognition for a number of essential fire services certifications. Courses which adhere to the standards of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) are accredited by The Pro Board .

• Fire Fighting Practices Level I and II / NFPA 1001
• Hazardous Materials Awareness / NFPA 1072
• Hazardous Materials Operations / NFPA 1072
• Rope Rescue Technician Level I / NFPA 1006
• Vehicle Technical Rescuer Level I/ NFPA 1006
• Confined Space Rescue Technician Level I / NFPA 1006
• Industrial Fire Brigade Member – Incipient / NFPA 1081
• Rapid Intervention (NFPA 1407)
• Emergency Scene Traffic Control
• ICS 100 (Incident Command Systems)
• ICS 200 (Incident Command Systems)
• First Responder (Red Cross)
• Emergency Services Workplace Preparation
• Air Brakes
• S100 Basic Fire Suppression & Safety
• S185 Fire Entrapment Avoidance & Safety
• SPP-WFF 1 Wildland Firefighter 1
• TDG – Transportation of Dangerous Goods
• WHMIS – Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
• Basic First Aid
• Basic Chainsaw Operations and Safety
• Emergency Medical Responder

Note: Courses subject to change based on Industry requirements.

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Fire Program Waiver

Please note participation in this program includes advanced written acknowledgement (via email to mhuscroft@cotr.bc.ca) to the terms of the Fire Program Waiver. This will be signed in person.

• If you have any questions about the Fire Program waiver, you can reach out to us at mhuscroft@cotr.bc.ca.
• The waiver is provided in advance to ensure you have ample time to review it and, if you so choose, seek legal advice before signing the waiver in person.

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Physical Fitness Requirement

Applicants must be physically capable and required to perform in physical fitness and firefighting training activities during the program. 

Activities may include but are not limited to:

• Timed – running, pushups, sit-ups, stair climb, mannequin/weight drag
• Agility – hose drag, rope/hose raise, confined space crawl, ladder climb

Completion of a Physical Fitness form with a Doctor recommendation is required during the application process.

Qualified applicants will receive the Physical Fitness form in the Fire Training Admissions Package.

Testing Phase:

The test phase consists of an online, entry-level firefighter aptitude test. Test candidates will be emailed a link to complete the test by the deadline stated.

After the test phase, successful applicants will be sent an Admissions Package to be completed and returned by the deadline stated. Applicants who have successfully completed the aptitude test and submitted a completed admissions package will be invited to a virtual interview with the program instructor and coordinator.

After the interview, applicants who are accepted into the program will be notified by the Admissions Department, and are required to pay a $500 non-refundable commitment fee which will go towards the tuition balance.

For the 2025/26 academic year (2025/SU, 2025/FA, 2026/WI, 2026/SP)

Application Fee:	$30.00
Tuition:	$15,779.85
Student Association Fee:	$52.90
Health and Dental Fee:	$240.00

_{*Tuition and Fees for domestic students are estimates and are subject to change. Depending on course electives there may be additional lab fees. Tuition and Fees do not include textbook costs or supplies. Tuition fees include student technology fees, student activity fees, and alumni fees. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.}

Additional Costs:

Additional costs listed below are approximate and are subject to change. Living and transportation costs are additional. Reliable transportation is required.  A laptop computer is strongly recommended.

This program includes a number of off-site training activities in various locations (e.g. live fire training grounds, EVO driving practice, ropes training. Students are required to supply their own transportation for such trips. Students are expected to follow all college policies and procedures when participating in off-campus activities.

Fees paid to College of the Rockies up front	Amount
Uniform Fee	$ 350.00

Personal supplies required up front – purchased on your own	Amount
Uniform accessories (Belt, socks, station shoes)	Various amounts
Basic school supplies (paper, pens, backpack, etc.)	Various amounts
Other supplies/gear as needed	Various amounts

Fees paid to College of the Rockies during the program	Amount
First Aid Remedial Testing (if needed)	$100.00 (approximately)

Fees paid to other agencies during the program	Amount
Driver’s License Fees (i.e. Air Brakes)	Various amounts – Insurance Corporation of BC
First Aid – EMR Licensing	$ 450.00 (approximately) – EMA Licensing Branch of BC

Bursary Information

The National Police Federation Benevolent Foundation bursary program was established to provide financial assistance to post-secondary students studying in a field relative to public safety in four regions across Canada (Atlantic, Central, Prairies/North, and Pacific). Twelve regional bursaries totaling $2,500 each will be awarded to eligible students, and a single national bursary totaling $5,000 – the Gordon Clarke Bursary – will be awarded annually to one student who has shown exceptional leadership, compassion, and support for their community. Please see eligibility criteria and how to apply here: https://foundation.npf-fpn.com/bursaries/.

The Fire Services Training certificate prepares you for a challenging, yet rewarding career making a difference in people’s lives. Completion of the certificate can prepare you for careers like:

• Firefighter (for municipal, provincial and federal governments, as well as for large industrial organizations with internal firefighting services) *
• Forestry Technologist / Technician

With additional education and experience, you may be eligible for a career as:

• Fire Chief / Senior Firefighting Officer *

* High Opportunity Occupation

To Institution	Program
Columbia Southern University	Associate of Science in Fire Sciences or Bachelor of Science in Fire Administration	Transfer Agreement