How to Become an Airport Firefighter in Toronto

December 23, 2022

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

An airport firefighter requires rigorous firefighter training specializing in handling fire emergencies in and around the airport as well as rescuing passengers.

To become an airport firefighter, a person must be accountable for responding to fire and medical emergencies that occur within an airport, airplane, and on the grounds. These can include collisions, confined spaces incidents, and responding to hazardous materials emergencies.

Basic Qualifications Required to Become an Airport Firefighter

Firefighter qualifications for working at an airport follow the same basic certifications of traditional firefighting. In addition, airport firefighters have extensive training in learning the workings of an airport, equipment, and airplanes, including airport hazards training.

Pre-Assessment Guide to Help You Get OFAI Certificates

The Ontario Fire Administration Inc. is a society formed by the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs to oversee the regulations and guidelines of the testing process for firefighter candidates.

Firefighter Aptitude and Character Test

The entry-level Firefighter Aptitude and Character Test compromises of tests within two main sections. Both the general aptitude test and the personal characteristics section consist of the necessary critical skills required.

Vision Assessment, Hearing Assessment, and Encapsulated Treadmill Test

The three components of the Vision Assessment, Hearing Assessment, and Encapsulated Treadmill Test follow the guidelines of Chapter Six of NFPA 1582: Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments.

Before completing the Firefighter Physical Aptitude Job-Related Tests (FPAT), an airport firefighter is subjected to a pre-appraisal screening. The timed tests comprise of equipment carry/vehicle extrication, charged hose advance, weighted sled pull, forcible entry simulation, victim rescue, and ladder climb.

Firefighter Technical Skills Assessment

For the Firefighter Technical Skills Assessment, there are two sections with three skills, totaling six progressions. Candidates perform 10-metre ladder climb, ropes, knots and tool lift, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) proficiency test, medical skills, roof ventilation, 7-metre ladder raise/ roof ladder deployment, and fine motor skills hose assembly.

FESTI’s Airport Firefighter Training Courses

As a private career college, the Fire and Emergency Services Training Institute (FESTI) provides certification courses for all firefighter positions, including those at small and large airports. Courses are conducted at our location at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

NFPA 1001 Level I-II Firefighter Training Program

The 18-week NFPA 1001 Level I-II certification in the Ontario Firefighter Training Program provides hands-on training with fire scenarios, search and rescue situations, auto extrications, and inspections on vehicles and equipment.

Blended/Online NFPA 1001 Level I-II Firefighter Training Program

Using the same academic theory, candidates take the NFPA 1001 Level I-II Firefighter Training Program at-home over a four-month period. The practical portion of the course requires four-week training onsite at FESTI.

Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Awareness Program

The Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Awareness program is a one-day training session for municipal firefighters who respond to a local airport. The training focuses on response procedures, hazards, positioning apparatus, fire control, rescue operations, fire extinguishment, interior firefighting, overhaul, and an introduction to aircraft rescue fire fighting vehicles.

Emergency Medical Responder Course

With the Emergency Responder Course, FETSI offers academic lessons in the skills for patient assessments, interventions, and ongoing care. This course is under the guidelines of the National Occupational Competency Profiles (NOCP) as defined by the Paramedic Association of Canada.

Standard First Aid, Level C CPR and AED (Red Cross)

Standard First Aid and CPR Level C certification provides emergency response skills in regard to first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) under provincial, federal, and territorial guidelines.

Airport Firefighter I.A.W. CARs 323.14

The Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) program is devised under the Canadian Aviation Regulations 323.14. Candidates learn personal protective equipment, airport preplan, firefighter safety, fire behaviour, extinguishing agents, airport familiarization, strategic and tactical operations, communication, apparatus, and rescue operations.

NFPA 1003 IFE Airport Firefighter Professional

The advanced level of Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) program focuses on aircraft fire and rescue under guidelines of the NFPA 1003 and the Canadian Aviation Regulations 323.14. This course entails pre-emergency planning and aircraft familiarization, airport familiarization, and communications.

ARFF Vehicle Service Course and Test

The ARFF Vehicle Service Course and Test is designed under the guidance of the Canadian Aviation Regulation standard 323. Lessons include requirements for testing, service test components, performance criteria, conduct pre-test pump delivery, test methods and calculations, pressurized agent purging and venting, acceleration test, and brake operation test.

Live Fire Training

For firefighter training in Ontario, FESTI’s Live-Fire Rescue Course covers the knowledge and skills needed for scene safety, 360-degree survey, building size-up and profile, primary search, patient removal/drags, carries, and rescues, oriented search, outside/in search, large area search, secondary search, and hose advancement.

Aerodrome Communication

FESTI offers a course on radio procedures with an aerodrome program as directed by Transport Canada. Understanding the proper communication regulations of aerodromes is part of working with a private and public airport.

FESTI’s Training Programs for Existing Airport Firefighters

For certified airport firefighters, FETSI provides ARFF certification courses in relation to aircraft firefighting training. These programs are designed to help existing airport firefighters to keep up on their training while honing their skills.

ARFF Recertification Course 1-Day Training

The aircraft rescue firefighting training programs at FESTI include a one-day training for recertification purposes. It is under the guidelines of the I.A.W. Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) 323.14 Compliant Recertification checklist and CARs 323.14 (4) Recurrent Training requirements.

ARFF Recertification Course 2-Day Training

Ground operations requiring recertification can be established under FESTI’s 2-day ARFF course. The Canadian Aviation Regulations 323.14 (4) Recurrent Training is required to ensure firefighters meet the current standards.

Benefits of Taking Firefighter Training at FESTI

Part of an active international airport fire department
New programs in modern facilities
Full-time trainers with years of experience
Programs adhere to the highest standards set by the Canadian Aviation Regulations
Accessible location
Customized programs

Get Started Now

The Fire and Emergency Services Training Institute (FESTI) offers training programs for certification at our private career college. If you are ready to join the company of airport firefighters, register today. For current firefighters, please choose one of FESTI’s training courses here.