Fire Prevention Officer/Inspector Employment

[SHFD09]

I am looking to speak with someone in refernce to Fire Prevention Employment.
I currently have 7 yrs of part time suppresion experience and I am currently working towards the FPO diploma from OFC(completed 3 componenets).
My question is, will this course be sufficiant enough for me to obtain emplyment with a fire service as a FPO. If not, what other courses or employment should I be looking at.
My current full time employment is Municipal Law Enforcement/Regulatory Inspector.
Any advice would truely be appreciated.

[Newb on Fire]

I don't know much about the OFC courses but if your looking for classes you can take to improve your chances of getting on you could look at some of the courses at Seneca College. Check under Continuing Education for short courses or if your interested we have a 2 and 3 year program in Fire Protection Engineering.
Hope this helps. http://www.senecac.on.ca

[Frmdc]

There is a fire inspector course offered as home study through the Manitoba Emergency Services College http://www.firecomm.gov.mb.ca/courses_fin_1.html,
there's the link. I'm sure this will give you the skills/knowledge you need to get the job.

[Michael13]

The same goes for me. I will be attending Fleming College in Peterborough this fall for a new course they just added called Fire Systems Engineering. This is a 3 year program and I hope to get a job with a FD or a fire safety company. And I was stupid when I applyed because I didnt research enough. I didnt know Senaca offered the same sort of program. But I wouldnt want to live and go to school in TO anyway because I hate city life!! Oh well. Again I'll ask, anybody out there also going to Fleming???

[Hamp42]

Originally posted by Frmdc
There is a fire inspector course offered as home study through the Manitoba Emergency Services College http://www.firecomm.gov.mb.ca/courses_fin_1.html,
there's the link. I'm sure this will give you the skills/knowledge you need to get the job.
Your link did not work directly. I did manage to get a catalogue link (adobe) and it gets all info for the Manitoba school. Fire Inspector I and II can be quite costly though ($1095.00 plus 13 required books).
:eek:
http://www.firecomm.gov.mb.ca/docs/course_catalogue.pdf
Be safe and good luck.

[smoke286]

Do any Depts hire off the street for Fire Prevention?

[BCFFFV]

Do any Depts hire off the street for Fire Prevention?


I wouldn't think they would usually. Many larger dept's hire from within for positions outside of suppresion. They are good positions for members who want a change from shiftwork or for members who can't return to suppresion work due to injuries etc.

[dentedhead]

Do any Depts hire off the street for Fire Prevention?

Toronto used to.I have a couple of former coworkers who went that route and eventually found their way into suppression.I think ther recruitment page also lists prevention with suppresssion and communications.

Dentedhead

[Ladymedic]

Seneca has a part time certificate program as well as Mohawk College in Hamilton. Both programs will give you the Fire Safety Certificate through the Canadian Fire Safety Association. These are excellent places to complement your OFC courses as they (OFC) are generally geared to those already in Prevention and don't go into as much detail on hood extinguishing systems, alarms systems and sprinkler systems. Most departments seem to recognize the Seneca program over the Mohawk one. Both colleges offer these part time during the evenings.

[smoke286]

Most Depts I know around here Fire Prevention personel come suppression

[irsqyu]

Times are changing in our area, years ago all FP officers came from the floor, now they appear to be hiring building department type people. Building Code & Fire Code go hand in hand, plans examination seems to be a big asset as well as additional education and some initials behind their name such as C.E.T.. A good Fire Prevention Division has a mix of both, those with the firefighting experience and those with the technical/building background

[Michael13]

I signed up for my first course at OFM to start the FPO course. Takin it online, since I am still in Peterborough for another 2 years.

[FLASHOVER05]

Over the last couple of years, the Fire Prevention scene has greatly increased. Now Many colleges are following suit to pioneers like Seneca College that developed the program several years ago with this goal in mind, To get people into all aspects of the fire services, make people safer than ever through proactive planning

[SHFD09]

I just enrolled in some online training through the NFPA website. Im taking "Fire Alarm System Fundemetals" and "Automatic Sprinkler System Fundementals". Both courses are certificate courses.

I am a married Father of three(one is a newborn), so going back to college right now is not an option, web based works well though. Not sure if these courses will help but it never hurts to learn.

I guess I will just keep taking the FPO courses as they become available, keep applying when I see postings and hope for the best.

Thanks for all the advice.

[Michael13]

I have been keeping track of all the job postings I can on the internet...There are alot of FPO jobs out there....and most of them are asking for 2 things....a candidate with a 2 or 3 Fire Engineering Dipolma...(the program I am currently in) and also looking for someone who has completed or is willing to take the FPO program at the OFC...So I am going to take the FPO program for sure...enrolled in some courses now...and I have 2 years left in FSE program...and with 4-5 years of volunteer expeirance I hope to get hired....I would also think they would want someone CFAA certified....which I will also be at the end of 2 years. So if I have to start small somewhere...I will...we'll see what happens.