Security Training BST Level 1 - Grace Community CollegeSecurity Education in CanadaCrime and Fire Programs -- Community College Programs
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Security Training BST Level 1 - Grace Community College Georgian College of Applied Arts and Technology's 1-year, 3-semester Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training certificate is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and training to pursue a career or career advancement in Firefighting. The Program is endorsed by the Ontario Fire MarshalĘs Office (OFM) and the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OAFC), and its curriculum 'has been developed by the OAFC, OFM and partnered Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts & Technology.' The Program provides candidates 'with knowledge and skills in' basic fire science, fire prevention and public education, fire suppression principles and practices, firefighter first responder emergency patient care, as well as 'specialty modules such as confined space and environmental hazards.' Students will also engage in 'skills practice and testing in simulated and controlled live fire training situations.' During semesters 2 and 3, qualifying students will have the opportunity to apply, practice, and enhance what they learn in the classroom to real-world situations via 252 hours of work experience placements in relevant settings, usually local fire departments. To graduate, students must complete 17 Mandatory Courses, 2 General Education Courses (psychology and/or sociology courses are recommended), 2 Field Placements, and 1 Communication Course, and students must achieve 'a minimum of 50% or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each course in each semester' and a 'passing weighted average for promotion through each semester, from year to year' a 60% or higher. Upon graduation, 'the graduate will be eligible to undergo provincial testing to meet the requirements of the Office of the Fire Marshal,' and 'upon being hired by a fire department and after a time period deemed appropriate by the chief, the firefighter may apply to the Ontario Fire College to receive the OFC Certificate of Achievement.' Students should be aware that the Program will provide students with the competencies required to pursue a career in Firefighting. Most positions in this profession, however, will require graduates to possess criteria beyond that provided by the Program as determined by the employer. In most cases, graduates will have to meet the physical fitness and psychological (such as having no fear of heights or confined spaces) requirements to meet the physical and mental demands of Firefighting and related tasks, have 'normal unaided hearing at frequencies of 500 to 400 Hz measured by audiometer,' and have uncorrected vision acuity of at least 'at least 6/12 (20/40) binocularly (both eyes),' corrected vision acuity of 'at least 6/6 (20/20) binocularly,' and 'no marked degree of colour blindness.' Regarding eyevision, many employers may have 'additional minimum requirements regarding refractive surgery farsightedness (hyperopia), colour vision, depth perception and peripheral vision.' Most employers will also require employees to have current, valid certification in CPR and First Aid, and perhaps a driver's license. Furthermore, because of the nature of the work, an individual with a criminal record may find it difficult to obtain employment in the industry as many employers are reluctant to hiring those who possess a criminal history. Prospective students who do have criminal history should consult with a College or Program advisor before applying. Career-wise, graduates will have acquired the qualifications that will allow them to be candidates for various professional, full time or part-time employment or volunteer positions in Firefighting, and related areas like fire prevention and education and fire inspection, in Ontario and throughout Canada. Firefighters may work in a wide range of environments like airports, forests and parks, hazardous materials units, fire departments, hospitals, nuclear plants, and other industrial, rural, urban, and suburban areas. The environment in which firefighters work will often determine the exact duties they will perform, and some firefighters may develop specialization in an area of Firefighting. For example, those working in forest land tend to focus on fire prevention by, among other ways, surveying the land for fire hazards and fires and quickly organizing responses to the latter when they do occur to limit their spread and damage. Through further training, firefighters may become fire investigators who attempt to reconstruct the origin and cause(s) of a fire. Investigators will usually collect evidence and witness accounts which they then use to produce reports about said fire; in cases where the law may become involved, investigators may be called to testify in court. Firefighting can be a strenuous and physically and mentally demanding career. Firefighters tend to work long and varied hours, and may be called upon to respond to emergencies at anytime during a 24-hour period, including on holidays. Moreover, Firefighting is a dangerous profession with risks for death and/or injuries and/or health problems from things like flames, falling objects, hazardous materials, and imploding structures. When firefighters are not combating fires or attending to other emergency situations directly, they are often at fire stations waiting to be called to duty or performing drills, among other things, or they may be actively engaged in promoting fire prevention. To be eligible for admission to the Program, applicants that followed 'the OSIS curriculum must have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD - 30 credits) at the general level, or equivalent' including 'a minimum of Grade 12 English and Grade 12 Mathematics at the general level, or equivalent,' and 'Grade 11 or 12 Chemistry and Biology at the general or advanced level.' Prospective students that followed 'the OSS curriculum must have an OSSD or equivalent,' including 'Grade 12 English (C) or (U) (ENG4C, ENG4U), any Grade 12 College Mathematics (MAP4C or MCT4C), or any Grade 12 University Mathematics,' as well as 'any Grade 11 College or Grade 11 or 12 University Biology (SB13C, SB13U or SB14U ) and Grade 12 College Chemistry, or Grade 11 or 12 University Chemistry or Grade 12 University Exercise Science (SCH4C, SCH4U, SCH3U, PSE4U).' Applicants who do not possess the aforementioned credentials and 'who are 19 years of age or over by the first day of classes' may apply via "mature student status." Mature applicants 'will be considered on an individual basis and acceptance will be determined by counseling, College Placement Testing (CPT), previous post-secondary education and evaluation of experience.' Mature applicants who have 'no documentation of Grade 12 education must supply, if requested, proof of age, such as a copy of an official birth certificate or driverĘs license.' Moreover, 'mature applicants must meet all program specific prerequisites.' All students will be required to maintain current, valid certification in CPR Basic Rescue Certificate and Standard First Aid 'throughout the program,' and should submit proof of having such certification in both before the start of the Program. All applicants must also undergo a 'Criminal Records check' before the start of the Program and/or before the start of the work experience placement as the results of this Check must be provided before the student can be placed as it will be required by most potential employers.
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