Frequently asked questions
What You Should Know About Firefighter Training
Here are some of our FAQs. We’re here to support you with info about how you can become a Firefighter with training at the Ontario Fire Academy.
OFA provides training in NFPA 1001 Firefighter I & II and NFPA 1072 Hazmat Awareness and Operations.
You can complete these certifications either through our Full-Time Program (In-person) or our Blended Program (Online & in-person)
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- 18+ Years of Age
- Official Government Photo ID
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, OR pass a qualifying test that has been approved by the Superintendent if you are 18 years+
- Clearance from a Medical Professional (Supplied by the academy after successful enrollment)
- Standard First Aid with Level C CPR
You can apply for one of our available Full-Time or Blended learning cohorts by filling out our online application here.
After applying online, applicants will be contacted by the Admissions Department within 1 business day.
- Applicants will then have a phone screening that will determine their initial eligibility.
- Once they have been approved to move on to the next stage, applicants will submit any supporting documents, such as a resume, driver’s license, certifications, etc.
- After an admissions review, and once an application is approved, applicants will sign their student contract and pay the enrollment fee of $500
Payment Plans – If you are accepted into one of our programs, we offer a tuition payment plan that consists of a preset number of installments.
Payments can be made by Interac Debit, E-transfer, Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, or Cheque.
RESP – Funds saved through a Registered Education Savings Plan for the purposes of your child’s education.
RRSP – The Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) offered by the Government of Canada can allow you to borrow from your RRSP for the purposes of furthering your education.
Better Jobs – Accepted recruits can access this funding program through Better Jobs, formerly Second Career. This program is run by the government of Ontario to provide financial support to those facing challenges finding stable jobs. The administration office can provide you with assistance on eligibility and how to apply.
Recruits completing either the Full-Time or Blended program at OFA will receive the same NFPA 1001 Firefighter I & II and NFPA 1072 Hazmat Awareness and Operations, qualifications.
At this time, OFA does not offer CPR and First Aid certification, though, in order to qualify for any program at Ontario Fire Academy, recruits must have an up-to-date CPR Level C and Standard First Aid certification to be eligible.
Yes, the online component of the blended program must be completed before the in-person skill session can begin.
It is recommended to complete all modules and tests at least 2-weeks before the mandatory in-person training.
Recruits must enroll and begin the online component of the Blended Program at least 14 weeks before the in-person cohort.
Recruits should expect to spend approximately 30 hours per week on the online component and 120 hours over 2 weeks on the in-person skill session.
At this time you cannot complete the NFPA 1072 Hazmat Awareness & Operations without completing NFPA 1001 Firefighter I & II.
At this time we do not offer testing alone for the NFPA 1001 and 1072 courses. You must participate in the entire training program, either full-time or blended, in order to be eligible to write the examination at Ontario Fire Academy.
No. Recruits are not required to be fully vaccinated or to provide a qualified exemption certificate to attend the Ontario Fire Academy.