JIBC students standing by a fire

Is this program right for you?

This program is ideal for experienced firefighters who want to become fire officers.

Applied Knowledge and Competencies

Gain the applied knowledge and competencies you need to supervise and lead in the fire service.

Academic Credentials

Meet all four levels of the NFPA 1021 Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications with a credential from an IFSAC and ProBoard® accredited post-secondary institution.

Take this program if you are an experienced firefighter who wants to become an officer. Register for this program to advance your career if you are already an officer.

Program Strengths

The program covers the NFPA 1021 Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications. It focuses on the specific competencies of the standard. It holds dual accreditation from ProBoard® and IFSAC, and is Canada's only accredited NFPA FO I-IV program.

This is a standards-based program. It focuses on the job requirements and responsibilities of fire officers in the service. Instructors teach most subjects online for your convenience.

Program Highlights

  1. Meets the requirements of the NFPA 1021 Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications (2020 version).

  2. Accredited by IFSAC and ProBoard®.

  3. Provides anywhere, anytime education with varying delivery options (in-person, online and in-house).

  4. Practical, relevant, interactive, and prepares students for the job requirements and responsibilities of the varying levels of a fire officer.

This standards-based program is practical, relevant and interactive with flexible delivery options.

Themes

  • Human resource management 
  • Incident management 
  • Fire service administration
  • Fire service leadership

Note: The content in each level of the Fire Officer Certificate Program ladders to a higher level, allowing for a continuous learning progression.

What You Need to Graduate

This program is divided into four sequential levels of graduation eligibility corresponding to the NFPA 1021 Fire Officer Standard.

  • Fire Officer I  
    Provide your NFPA 1001 certificate and complete the required courses before continuing to the next level.  
  • Fire Officer II  
    Provide your NFPA 1021 Fire Officer Level 1 certificate from a ProBoard® and/or IFSAC accredited institution and complete the required courses.
  • Fire Officer III  
    Provide your NFPA 1021 Fire Officer Level II certificate from a ProBoard® and/or IFSAC accredited institution and complete the required courses.
  • Fire Officer IV  
    Provide your NFPA 1021 Fire Officer Level III certificate from a ProBoard® and/or IFSAC accredited institution and complete the required courses. 

Upon completion of any Fire Officer levels or the Fire Officer program, students must fill out the Fire Officer Certificate Request form to request their certificate(s).  

Program Format

Courses are offered online or in a classroom.

Online course offerings must be completed within the stated period, generally within one month from the start date of the course.

Course Calendar

The dates of upcoming scheduled courses for each Fire Officer level are available on the Fire Officer Course Calendar page.

For detailed information on the next course offering, click on the link in the course table below

Upcoming Intakes

Apply for this program at any time. There are no specific application deadlines, however, individual courses have set start and end dates.

Textbooks

Textbooks are required for this program. If additional books or other materials are required, we will advise you before the start of a course.

Access the full list of textbooks.  

Tuition

Each course is paid at the time of registration. For more information, click on any of the course links below. 

Additional Fees

Program Application Fee (non-refundable): $75 (Domestic), $150 (International)
Textbooks: Textbooks are required for this program. Access the full list of textbooks.  Contact FireOfficer@jibc.ca for titles and purchase information.

Our application process for the Fire Officer and Fire Prevention Officer programs has moved to EducationPlannerBC, making it easier for applicants to apply. Follow these simple steps to get started:

  1. VisitEducationPlannerBC.ca.
  2. Sign In or Create an Account on EducationPlannerBC.
  3. Complete Your Profile by filling in personal information, contact details, and academic history. Once done, select Start Applying.
  4. Select JIBC as your institution, and choose Sponsored Training as the applicant category.
  5. Choose Your Program: Select either the Fire Officer or Fire Prevention Officer Certificate Program.
  6. Choose Your Campus and Term from the options provided. Click Save.
  7. Fill Out Additional Information as required, save your responses, then select Review and Submit.
  8. Select Payment Options: Choose No Charge, verify your email, and complete the consent and confirmation checkboxes.
  9. Submit Your Application: After submitting, you’ll receive a confirmation message on-screen and via email.

For program-specific questions, reach out to:

For application help, contact us at info@jibc.ca or call 604-525-5422.

For details on how to apply, visit here.

After your application has been approved, please register for courses directly with the Registration Office at 604.528.5590 or register@jibc.ca.

You are encouraged to complete your application at least two months before you wish to take your first course in the program. Once an applicant is accepted, we suggest registering as quickly as possible to avoid disappointment. The number of seats in each class is limited.

Required Documents

  • A copy of your IFSAC or ProBoard® accredited NFPA1001 certificate.

Q: How do I apply for this program?

A: Register at EducationPlannerBC and complete the online program application form. 

Q: How do I request my Certificate?

A: If you need a Fire Officer I, II, III, or IV certificate, please follow the steps below:

  1. Visit www.jibc.ca
  2. Navigate to Programs & Courses > Firefighting > Fire Officer
  3. Under Program Details, you will find a link to the Fire Officer Certificate Request form.
  4. After submitting the form, you will receive an email confirmation. Our team will review your request and keep you updated via email.

Certificates for these levels are issued at the end of February, May, August, and November. You can expect to receive your certificate by mail in the month following the upcoming production month.

Q: Where can I find the latest program course offerings?

A: View the course offerings. 

Q: When are the JIBC NFPA 1021 Fire Officer Level Certificates issued?

A: Completion certificates are printed and mailed to graduates every quarter.

Certificates are produced in February, May, August, and November for students who have completed a level in the preceding three-month period. To request a certificate, fill out a Fire Officer Certificate Request Form

Q: How can I update my student profile? 

A: Visit https://www.jibc.ca/student-record-forms to access name change, contact info change, authorization to release student information, unofficial transcripts, etc. 

Q: How can I update my personal info?

A: It's important to keep your personal information up to date on the MY JIBC portal.

Just follow these simple steps:

  1. Go to www.jibc.ca/myjibc
  2. Click on "Login to Self-Service"
  3. Navigate to "User Options" > "User Profile"
  4. Edit your information and confirm. 

Q: Can I use my ICS Canada for JIBC Fire Officer ICS course requirements? 

A: Yes. See the link to Emergency Management Division (EMD) ICS recognized providers https://www.jibc.ca/contract-training/areas-of-training/incident-command-system/recognized-ics-service-providers and application for transfer credits. 

Q: Can I take individual courses without being enrolled in the program?

A: No. Exceptions may be considered in specific cases. Email FireOfficer@jibc.ca to inquire.

Q: Why can't I register for FIRE-1100 online? 

A: Students must be enrolled in the FO/FPO Program and verified by the JIBC Registration Office before they can register for FIRE-1100.

Q: Can I apply course credentials from other providers to the JIBC Fire Officer program?

A: Yes. We will consider accepting course credits from recognized providers and post-secondary institutions. See the helpful links below. 
https://www.jibc.ca/registration/transfer-credits 
https://www.jibc.ca/registration/prior-learning-assessment-pla 
https://www.jibc.ca/student-record-forms 

Q: What is Blackboard?

A: JIBC uses Blackboard as the platform for online learning. For further information, see JIBC Blackboard Help for Students https://host.jibc.ca/blackboard/help/index.html#/ 

Q: I can't log in to Blackboard, what do I do?

A: You can contact the Registration Office. Or, find helpful links below. 
https://www.jibc.ca/registration/registration-help 
https://www.jibc.ca/logging-in-user-account 

Q: When do I have access to my online course? How do I check my grades?

A: Course access is available on the course start date. Students access online courses and grades through the “myJIBC Portal Welcome Page” https://www.jibc.ca/myjibc

Q: What is the Withdrawal and Refund policy? 

A: JIBC Withdrawal policy for Fire Officer Continuing Studies courses is, students have up to 7 calendar days before the course starts to request a withdrawal and receive a full refund. Withdrawal with less than 7 calendar days from the start of the course is not eligible for tuition refund https://www.jibc.ca/procedure/refunds 

Contact both the program area at FireOfficer@jibc.ca and the Registration Office at register@jibc.ca to request a withdrawal and refund. 604-528-5590, Option 2; or call Toll Free: 1-877-528-5591.

Students need to contact the Registration Office to formally withdraw from a course to avoid receiving an 'F' fail grade on their transcript. 

Q: What is involved with proctoring an exam? 

A: The proctor must sign a completed proctor agreement. Proctors are provided with a detailed information package close to the exam date. All exams must be proctored Face-to-Face with the student and proctor present. Proctors need to be able to clear a cache history on the student’s laptop upon completion of the online exam.

Suitable proctors must be external from the organization/department/employer.

  • A High school, University or College Instructor.
  • An external professional not associated with your Fire Department, such as a City Official.
  • Other suitable candidates as accepted by the Fire & Safety Division. 

Q: Can JIBC proctor my exam?

A: Yes. Proctoring can be accommodated at most JIBC Campuses. Contact FireOfficer@jibc.ca for more information. 

Q: Are textbooks required?

A: Visit the link below for more information https://www.jibc.ca/sites/default/files/2022-10/FSD-Fire-Officer-and-Fire-Prevention-Officer-Courses-Textbook-List.pdf 

Online Firefighter Training Course

Firefighter Training Courses & Resources

The Fire & Safety Division offers a wide range of courses and resources as it works with various partner agencies and organizations to support the education and training needs of the fire service and industry.

JIBC students standing by a fire

Course List by NFPA Standard

Find out which JIBC courses are available that meet specific National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards in firefighter training. All courses are available on a customized contract basis.

Mobile Live Fire Trailer

JIBC's Mobile Live-Fire Training Lab

The JIBC Mobile Live-Fire Training Lab is a unique resource that offers municipal and industrial fire departments throughout B.C. the opportunity to provide essential live-fire training in their own region.

Questions about our Fire Officer courses and program?

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