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| Professional Fire Fighter (including NFPA 1001 Levels I and II) | |||||||
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Delivery: Full-time Length: 3 months Class Size: 30 candidates Description: The Emergency Services Academy Ltd. (“ESA”) Professional Fire Fighter Program is designed to provide training and education to individuals interested in a career with municipal or industrial fire services. Our full-time program is delivered over a twelve week period. The theory portion of the program is presented at the ESA campus in Sherwood Park, Alberta. The main practical portions of the program are taken on the fire training grounds of fire etc., Lakeland College, Vermilion, Alberta. Other components are taught at various locations in Edmonton and Strathcona County. For example, vehicle extrication is a three day practical session at PICK ’n’ PULL located on the west end of Edmonton. In Vermilion, students have access to one of the most highly regarded fire training grounds in North America. Safety is a top priority, with bunker gear, breathing apparatus, and other personal protective equipment provided during practical evolutions. Assorted fire apparatus and all necessary fire suppression and rescue equipment are utilized during the course. Exercises are conducted on fire towers and industrial props such as refineries, train cars, automobiles, and trenches. Fire suppression training is done in an environment using “live burns”. Accreditation: The ESA Professional Fire Fighter Program is delivered through a contract agreement with Lakeland College, Vermilion, Alberta. Program materials, examinations, ongoing auditing, and certifications are provided by the college. ESA’s Fire Fighter Program meets the following National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards as accredited by the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications (ProBoard) and International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC): • NFPA 1001 Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications (Levels I and II); • NFPA 472 Professional Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents (Awareness and Operational Levels); and • NFPA 1051 Wildland Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications This standard of fire training is a prerequisite for employment applications with many fire services throughout Alberta and across Canada. Even in services where it is not a prerequisite, it is respected as an advantageous pre-employment level of education. Prerequisites: • Minimum 18 years of age • High School Diploma, General Educational Development (GED)/equivalent, or post secondary education. Provide copies of transcripts. • Minimum Class 5 Driver's License • Standard First Aid • CPR Level C (Heart & Stroke Health Care Provider Level C, St. John's Ambulance Level B, or equivalent) OR EMR, EMT or Paramedic certification • Medical Exam • Resume • Two letters of character reference Competition: ESA are accepted on a rolling registration basis. Upon submission of a complete application and payment of the application fee, applicants will be notified by phone, and letter or email about the application competition: • Fire Fighter Written Aptitude Examination • Interview with ESA Program Faculty Applicants achieving the highest scores during this competition are accepted into the Professional Fire Fighter Program. After the competition, applicants will be advised of their application status (accepted, placed on a waiting list, or declined) within five business days following the completed interview. Applications for a fire program will be closed when the maximum number of students (30) have accepted a place in the program and paid a tuition deposit of $1,500.00 to confirm same, or on the date the program commences. The tuition deposit is non-refundable and will be applied to total tuition fees. Program Schedule: The didactic portion of the Professional Fire Fighter Program is presented at the ESA Sherwood Park Campus. Practical portions of the program are taught at various training areas in Alberta including Vermilion, Edmonton, and Strathcona County. Approximately 14 days of "live burn" practical training are completed on the fire training grounds of fire etc., Lakeland College. This facility is located in Vermilion, Alberta, approximately two hours east of Edmonton on Highway 16. ESA reserves optional motel accommodation for students in Vermilion at discounted rates. Self Rescue is taught at one of the fire stations of Strathcona County Emergency Services ("SCES"), Sherwood Park. Aquatic Rescue is scheduled at one of the larger area swimming pools. The class spends a day at the Edmonton Internation Airport and Embridge studying industrial fires. Three days are taken at Pick 'N Pull in Edmonton for Vehicle Extrication. Hazardous Goods are part of the practical training done at Eveready in Sherwood Park. Transportation, accommodation, and meals related to practical days are not included in the program fees. These are the responsibility of the student. The last week of the program focuses on preparing for job applications. An interview and aptitude exam are scheduled with human resources personnel from SCES. Each student can sign up for a fire fighter physical assessment conducted at the University of Alberta. Individual tutoring and assistance with resumes and cover letters is also available at an additional cost. The program completes with a Graduation in Sherwood Park. Physical Requirements: Fire fighting is by nature an occupation requiring a high level of physical conditioning. With this in mind, candidates must present a medical form (included in the application package) stating that they are able to meet the physical requirements of the program. Near the completion of the program, students will have the opportunity to participate in Fire Fighter Physical Aptitude Testing at the University of Alberta. This test will be scheduled by ESA. Cost is included in tuition fees. Excessive facial hair is not permitted throughout the program, as it may interfere with the mask-to-face seal on breathing apparatus. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including bunker gear, helmets and gloves is provided by ESA. Students are issued an ESA kit bag containing personal fire resistent coveralls, balaclava, safety goggles and gloves. The kit bag and contents become the property and responsibility of the student. Examinations: The NFPA 1001 courses are examined through a series of practical competencies and written examinations. Students must be successful in all components to receive NFPA 1001 Levels I & II certification. Credit is given for all successful components. Practical competencies are assessed by an evaluator approved by fire etc. Written examinations are provided and marked by fire etc. As per accreditation standards, a mark of 70% or greater is required on each examination. Students who achieve a mark of 60% to 69% will be allowed one rewrite at a cost of $100.00 per rewrite. Marks below 60% on any examination are considered a failure for the entire course. A student failing an early examination may be asked to withdraw from the program. Credentials: The successful ESA Professional Fire Fighter student will receive the following certifications: • ProBoard and IFSAC certificates for: • NFPA 1001 Professional Fire Fighter Qualifications (Levels I and II) • NFPA 472 Professional Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents (Awareness and Operational Levels) • NFPA 1051 Wildland Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications • ESA Certificates: Professional Fire Fighter, Fire Fighter Self Rescue, Aquatic Spinal Rescue, and Technical Rescue Awareness • TDG/WHMIS • BTLS Access Awards: ESA is pleased to present three awards to students in each of our Professional Fire Fighter Programs. These awards recognize outstanding performance. • Award for Academic Excellence, Professional Fire Fighter Program • Candidate Competition Award, Professional Fire Fighter Program • Harold Criss Professionalism Award, Professional Fire Fighter Program For a list of past Award Recipients, please refer to the News section of this website. Employment Standards: ESA develops its Professional Fire Fighter Program by researching the prerequisites listed by major Canadian Fire Services. As many of these standards as possible are included in program materials and certifications. Room & Board: A list of room and board accommodations in the Edmonton and Sherwood Park areas is available for students if required. This list is not approved or monitored by ESA. Graduates: Many graduates of the ESA Professional Fire Fighter Program are working for various fire services in Canada. A telephone survey of 283 graduates completed in October, 2006 had a response rate of 60.4%. This survey included graduates who took the ESA Professional Fire Fighter Program between August, 2000 and the class completed in May, 2006. Of these respondents, 67% had found employment in a fire related service (municipal, industrial or military). The remaining 33% of responsdents had not found employment or are currently in the process of applying with fire services or continuing with related education such as emergency medical training (EMR, EMT or Paramedic). Places of employment for graduates who were successful in finding work include: • Strathcona County Emergency Services AB • Edmonton Emergency Response Department AB • Calgary Fire Department AB • Canmore AB Fire • Delta BC Fire • Fort McMurray AB Fire • Hay River AB Fire (Wildland) • Lacombe AB Fire • Leduc AB Fire • Medicine Hat AB Fire • Mississauga ON Fire • Moncton NB Fire • Muskwachees AB Fire • Nanaimo BC Fire & Rescue • North Bay ON Fire • North Vancouver BC Fire • Coquitlam Fire Department BC • Regina SK Fire • Spruce Grove AB Fire • Sturgeon County AB Volunteer Fire • Vancouver BC Fire Department • Wainwright AB Fire • Eveready Industrial • FireMaster • Fire Power • CEDA • HSE Integrated • Key Safety • Sustainable Resources Wildland Fire • Syncrude Fire • Trojan Safety, Fort St John AB • Edmonton International Airport • Department of National Defence - CFB Suffield ontario • Department of National Defence - CFB Wainwright AB If you are a graduate of our Professional Fire Fighter Program and successful in finding employment, would you please contact ESA so that we can maintain current records. Application: Applications are now being accepted for the 2008 Professional Fire Fighter Programs at ESA. |
 2008 Dates: • Spring Program: Fire 0803 March 17, 2008 to June 6, 2008 - Complete • Fall Program: Fire 0809 First Day of Classes - September 2, 2008 Last Day of Classes - November 21, 2008 ESA Fees: Professional Fire Fighter Program Fees Fees for the Professional Fire Fighter Program are: Application Fee $100.00 Program Materials (5% GST included) $1,050.00 Tuition and Certifications $8,600.00 ESA Student Fees $100.00 TOTAL FEES $9,850.00 Fire Program Fees have been revised as of November 4, 2008. New fees will be effective as of the Professional Fire Fighter Program commencing March 9, 2009 (Fire 0903). Payment of Fees A non-refundable application fee of $100 must be submitted with the Application for Admission. This fee will be applied toward the total fees. On acceptance, a non-refundable deposit of $1,500 must be received by ESA to confirm acceptance of a place in the program. This deposit will be applied toward the total fees. Any outstanding fees must be paid two weeks in advance of the first day of classes. All program fees are payable to Emergency Services Academy Ltd. Program Materials Program Materials include: • ESA Fire Fighter Kit Bag including fire resistant coveralls, hard hat, balaclava, work gloves, fire fighter gloves, and safety glasses. This becomes the responsibility and property of the student. • Fire Fighter Physical at the University of Alberta during the last week of classes • Fire Fighter SCBA Fit Testing • IFSTA Essentials Textbook • ESA Fire Fighter Binders and Program Materials including NFPA 1001 modules Certifications Certifications awarded upon successful completion of the Professional Fire Fighter Program at ESA include: • TDG or WHMIS Certification • ITLS Access Certification • ProBoard and IFSAC Certifications ESA Student Fees ESA Student Fees for the Professional Fire Fighter Program cover the following: • ESA Student ID Card • ESA hat • Accidental health and dental insurance coverage for students while attending ESA classes, off-site training practical training and practicums. • WCB coverage for students during practical training. Fees listed above apply to Canadian residents (Canadian Citizen, Landed Immigrant or Permanent Resident). International Students are welcome to take the Professional Fire Fighter Program at ESA if they meet the prerequisites and if the training will meet their needs. Please submit an inquiry by email to determine the suitability of the Professional Fire Fighter Program at ESA before submitting an application. International students will pay a 120% surcharge on tuition and comprehensive fees. The fee for International students for this program is $11,760.00 Cdn. Professional Fire Fighter Program Fees are subject to change without notice. When submitting an application to ESA, please confirm fees on this website or by phoning (780) 416-8822. Future Dates: • Spring Program 2009: Fire 0903 Application Deadline - February 9, 2009 First Day of Classes - March 9, 2009 Last Day of Classes - May 29, 2009 • Summer Program 2009 - Fire 0906 Application Deadline - May 11, 2009 First Day of Classes - June 8, 2009 Last Day of Classes - August 28, 2009 • Fall Program 2009: Fire 0909 Application Deadline - Tuesday, August 4, 2009 First Day of Classes - August 31, 2009 Last Day of Classes - November 20, 2009 Additional Expenses: The following expenses must be covered by the student: • CSA approved, black leather, 8" steel toed work boots • Transportation, accommodation and meals outside of Edmonton during practical training sessions, including sessions at Vermilion, AB. • ESA reserves a block of rooms at the Super 8 Motel in Vermilion for students requiring accommodation. Students are responsible for canceling any rooms they do not use. Motel costs depend on the number of nights of accommodation the student books. • Fire Fighter Professional Driver Improvement Program - License Upgrade - Class 2 Driver Training with or without Airbrake Endorsement (Optional). This training is available to students in the Professional Fire Fighter Program at a reduced cost. • Additional copies of transcripts may be requested by email, fax or letter. The fee is $10 + GST. • A Graduation is held at the end of the Professional Fire Fighter Program. Students are responsible for the cost of tickets for themselves and their guests. All outstanding invoices must be cleared before ESA will issue certificates to graduates from the Professional Fire Fighter Program. Accessory Courses ESA offers Accessory Courses to supplement the Professional Fire Fighter Program, including: • Technical Rope Rescue • Ice Rescue Each of these courses has separate prerequisites and tuition fees. Please refer to the course name on this website for details. Many graduates of the Professional Fire Fighter Program also apply for the Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) Program and the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) at ESA. Emergency medical training is frequently a prerequisite for employment with fire services. Recommendations: APPLY EARLY!! Please submit applications early, as applications will be closed as soon as a program is full. |
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