NFPA 1001 Level I-II Firefighter Training Program – Blended

Requirements & Qualifications:

Minimum program application requirements:

1. Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, OR pass a qualifying Canadian Adult Achievement Test
2. Standard First Aid with Level “C” CPR with AED, issued by a recognized provider (must be valid for the entire duration of the course)
3. Completed Medical Form

Special Note(s):

* Meeting minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee an offer of admission.

** Our Blended in-person course runs for four (4) weeks, Monday – Friday, 08 AM – 4:00 PM.

*** 18+ years of age is the minimum requirement to apply to a firefighting job.

Special Considerations:

Entering the vocation of firefighting is a very competitive process and different departments and municipalities have different entry requirements.  FESTI recommends that you familiarize yourself with the entry-to-practice requirements for any department or private organization you apply to.

To be eligible for consideration for employment in a fire department within the Ontario fire service, the following may be required:

1. Possess visual acuity uncorrected to 20/30 in each eye without corrective lenses
2. Have a normal colour vision – passes Ishihara Test acceptable – passes Farnsworth D-15
3. Have depth perception and peripheral vision that is safe for firefighting
4. Have prescribed normal unaided hearing – hearing thresholds no greater than 30 decibels in each ear at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz, and no significant loss in higher frequencies 
5. Meet medical standards free of Acrophobia and Claustrophobia

Although a class DZ Ontario driver’s license is not required for the program, it is required for employment with an Ontario Fire Service. Contact the Ontario Ministry of Transport for further information on obtaining the license.

While FESTI does not require medical screening or assessment for applicants to our programs, we do recommend you review these requirements and consult a physician for eligibility.  Furthermore, due to the strenuous physical demands of the firefighter, it is strongly recommended that applicants acquire and maintain an advanced level of physical fitness including cardiovascular and upper body strength prior to the start of the program

Program Includes:

• NFPA 1001 – FFI and FFII Course
• NFPA 1072 – Awareness and Operations Course
• FESTI Uniform
• Course Materials
• Personal Protective Equipment (Yours to Keep)
  • Helmet
  • Flash hood
  • Firefighting Gloves
  • Rope Rescue Gloves
  • Firefighting Boots
• Firefighter Protective Clothing: Bunker Gear Pants and Coat – Rental
• Ontario Fire Marshall (OFM) exam fees
  • NFPA 1001 Firefighter Level I
  • NFPA 1001 Firefighter Level II
  • NFPA 470 Hazardous Materials Awareness
  • NFPA 470 Hazardous Materials Operations
• Mandatory orientation day

What’s NOT included:

• Meals
• Accommodations – there are no onsite room/board facilities at FESTI
• You will be required to purchase your own Black CSA-approved safety boots to be worn onsite at FESTI
  
• Required reading material & textbook throughout your asynchronous phase (online) and further for your in-house studies:
  • Essentials of Fire Fighting, 7th Edition | eBook version
  • Emergency Response Guidebook 2024
    
• Optional material:
  • Essentials of Fire Fighting 7^th Edition and Workbook
    

Graduation Requirements:

• To graduate from this program, a student must attain a minimum of 70% average and complete all required practical skill signoffs.

Your Achievements

After successful completion of the program, you’ll have the basic knowledge and practical skills that make you firefighting ready, and you’ll have a full understanding of the discipline required, as well as the kind of dedication and professionalism that fire chiefs and fire officers look for in a recruit firefighter.

During the final week of the program, you’ll take the Office of the Fire Marshal’s (OFM) Provincial exam and practical skills assessment which is proctored at FESTI. Upon successful completion, you’ll receive IFSAC Seals and an application for Pro Board Seals in recognition of your having achieved the:

• NFPA 1001 Firefighter Level I
• NFPA 1001 Firefighter Level II
• NFPA 470 Hazardous Materials Awareness
• NFPA 470 Hazardous Materials Operations
  

Additionally, you receive Internationally recognized Accreditation from the Institution of Fire Engineers.

Program Costs

Non-refundable application fee: $150 *

* Note: All transfers are subject to an additional $150 processing fee. Transfers are approved based on seat availability and may be subject to total program cost adjustments should tuition change.

Total program cost: $9,621.40 ** & *** includes HST, certification exam fees, firefighting gear, structural firefighter protective clothing rental, uniform, and course materials.

** Note: Total program cost is subject to change and may affect transfer requests.

*** Note for International Student Applicants: An additional International Student Fee of $1,000.00 CDN applies. This fee is disclosed under Career College details.

Additional Note(s):

1. FESTI is not an OSAP-registered educational institution.
2. For our Blended program, we offer split-payment options or a single payment due 30 days prior to your online start date.
3. You are required to purchase your own black CSA-approved safety boots (estimated cost: $100–$150).

Scheduled Dates

Note(s):

2027 blended program dates are posted for planning purposes. The 2027 training schedule is currently being finalized. Registration is not yet open. Create your FESTI account, complete your application, and opt in to receive a notification when registration officially opens.

Registration for the 2027 Training Year is not yet open. We are not maintaining a waitlist at this time. Create your FESTI account, complete your application, and opt in to receive a notification when registration officially opens. Your application will be ready for submission as soon as registration becomes available.

Returning applicants can log in to their FESTI account at any time to check the status of their vocational application. This is the fastest way to view your application status without contacting our office.

Special Note(s):

1. Seat availability information is updated as often as once per day [last update: 11:00 PM on Thursday, 16 July 2026 – accurate seat availability is confirmed upon application submission].
2. Course onboarding and on-site orientation dates for the 2027 blended program are still being developed and will be published when the complete schedule is finalized.
3. Site orientation information will be shared during your transition from the asynchronous to the in-house phase by your Lead Instructor through a welcome message.

Our plan for the 2027 Training Year Blended program is as follows:

Course Serial	Course Onboarding (TEAMS based, online)	LMS (online studies)	On-site Orientation	In-house Training	Program Completion and Graduation Procession	Seat Capacity
26-02-09 | 10	Wednesday April 15, 2026	Monday April 20, 2026	Thursday August 20, 2026	Monday August 24, 2026	Monday September 21, 2026	25 | [three seats (3) open]
26-02-11 | 12	Wednesday May 27, 2026	Monday June 1, 2026	Thursday October 01, 2026	Monday October 05, 2026	Monday November 02, 2026	25 | [open]
26-02-13 | 14	Wednesday July 08, 2026	Monday July 13, 2026	Thursday November 12, 2026	Monday November 16, 2026	Friday December 11, 2026	25 | [open]
27-02-01	Complete schedule available soon	Sunday September 13, 2026	Complete schedule available July 17, 2026	Monday January 11, 2027	Friday February 05, 2027	25 | [opens soon]
27-02-02	Complete schedule available soon	Thursday October 01, 2026	Complete schedule available July 17, 2026	Friday January 29, 2027	Friday February 26, 2027	25 | [opens soon]
27-02-03	Complete schedule available soon	Monday October 26, 2026	Complete schedule available July 17, 2026	Monday February 22, 2027	Friday March 19, 2027	25 | [opens soon]
27-02-04	Complete schedule available soon	Wednesday November 11, 2026	Complete schedule available July 17, 2026	Thursday March 11, 2027	Friday April 09, 2027	25 | [opens soon]
27-02-05	Complete schedule available soon	Sunday December 06, 2026	Complete schedule available July 17, 2026	Monday April 05, 2027	Friday April 30, 2027	25 | [opens soon]
27-02-06	Complete schedule available soon	Wednesday December 30, 2026	Complete schedule available July 17, 2026	Friday April 30, 2027	Friday May 28, 2027	25 | [opens soon]
27-02-07	Complete schedule available soon	Thursday January 21, 2027	Complete schedule available July 17, 2026	Friday May 21, 2027	Friday June 18, 2027	25 | [opens soon]
27-02-08	Complete schedule available soon	Thursday February 11, 2027	Complete schedule available July 17, 2026	Friday June 11, 2027	Friday July 09, 2027	25 | [opens soon]
27-02-09	Complete schedule available soon	Sunday March 07, 2027	Complete schedule available July 17, 2026	Monday July 05, 2027	Friday July 30, 2027	25 | [opens soon]
27-02-10	Complete schedule available soon	Thursday March 18, 2027	Complete schedule available July 17, 2026	Friday July 16, 2027	Friday August 13, 2027	25 | [opens soon]
27-02-11	Complete schedule available soon	Sunday April 11, 2027	Complete schedule available July 17, 2026	Monday August 09, 2027	Friday September 03, 2027	25 | [opens soon]
27-02-12	Complete schedule available soon	Wednesday May 05, 2027	Complete schedule available July 17, 2026	Thursday September 02, 2027	Friday October 01, 2027	25 | [opens soon]
27-02-13	Complete schedule available soon	Wednesday May 19, 2027	Complete schedule available July 17, 2026	Thursday September 16, 2027	Friday October 15, 2027	25 | [opens soon]
27-02-14	Complete schedule available soon	Thursday June 17, 2027	Complete schedule available July 17, 2026	Friday October 15, 2027	Friday November 12, 2027	25 | [opens soon]
27-02-15	Complete schedule available soon	Thursday July 08, 2027	Complete schedule available July 17, 2026	Friday November 05, 2027	Friday December 03, 2027	25 | [opens soon]