This article is about the Pre-service Firefighter Education and Training program at Centennial College. It focuses specifically on the courses that prepare students to write the Ontario Fire Marshal Provincial test.

1. Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training Gives
Graduates An Advantage
The job of firefighter is complex. It involves not only extinguishing
hazardous fires that threaten property and civilian or natural populations but
also rescuing people from dangerous situations, like collapsed or burning
buildings.
Today, many fire departments require or prefer applicants who have
completed a firefighter program prior to applying. Centennial College’s
Pre-service Firefighter Education and Training program is one such
undertaking. It focuses on offering students theory and practical training
that is in accordance with the approved curriculum developed by the Ontario
Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC) and the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal
(OFM). This is achieved through lectures and practical courses that include
simulation training under the guidance of qualified instructors and practical
experience in various activities such as “live fire burns” at the City of
Toronto’s Fire Training Academy and the Emergency Patient Care at
Centennial’s Healthcare Simulation Centre.
Here is a closer look at some of the courses in this program.
Fire Ground Operations: The Incident Management Systems is introduced
through content that address the observational, assessment, problem
solving and decision making skills required by firefighters. Students are also
familiarized with the role of the firefighter en route to the fire scene and at
the fire scene, fire cause determination, fire scene security and post-incident
analysis and review.
Emergency Patient Care: Students get an overview of the Ontario
emergency medical care system with emphasis on the specific role and
responsibilities of the firefighter emergency patient care responders and the
teamwork essential to the effectiveness of the EMS response. Included are
legislation, regulations, standards, and established policies, procedures and
protocols as well the role of members of the emergency response team and
the specific role of the firefighter emergency care responder.
Fire Equipment: Firefighters must be fully versed in the equipment they use
to fight fires, not only for their safety but the safety of those on the scene.
As such, this course first examines the anatomy of a fire and then the
purpose, types, uses and limitations of protective clothing. For this aspect,
students get to try out personal protective clothing and equipment including
maintaining, storing, cleaning and inspecting. They also look at the
breathing apparatus and its component parts; common ropes and knots

2. used to raise and lower firefighter equipment in emergency and non-
emergency situations; types and sizes of ladders used in the fire service and
different methods used in carrying, raising, climbing and working on ground
ladders; lighting equipment and its operation in order to provide illumination
of the scene; and more.
Fire Suppression: Split into two parts, the first course focuses on the design
and components of municipal water supply systems and rural water supplies,
as well as the types and operation of hydrants and methods of determining
flow. It also specifies considerations, procedures and precautions necessary
to successfully extinguish the four classes of fire and compressed gas
cylinder fires. The second, meanwhile, defines ventilation as it applies to the
fire service and describes the concepts, types, procedures, precautions, and
equipment associated with ventilation operations.
After completing each firefighter course, students are eligible to write the
Ontario Fire Marshal Provincial testing.