Advanced Diploma in Fire Inspection and Fire Safety Education Fanshawe College - London Campus, Canada

The Fire Inspection and Fire Safety Education program is an Ontario College Advanced Diploma that prepares graduates to enter the fire service in the field of fire prevention.

The program provides a foundation in fire science and fire mathematics. It also provides comprehensive coverage of relevant codes and legislation (e.g., Ontario Fire Code and the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, the Ontario Building Code and the Building Code Act).

The core vocational curriculum is aligned with several professional credentials offered by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): Fire Inspector I and II, Fire and Life Safety Educator I and II, and Public Information Officer. Students will also graduate with the communication skills and interpersonal skills they need to function as leaders in the fire service and in the community.  

Learning Outcomes:

• Conduct field inspections of new or existing single- and multi-use structures to determine code compliance and to evaluate fire protection systems and equipment (e.g., occupancy classification and occupant loads; hazardous conditions involving equipment, processes and operations; emergency planning and preparedness procedures; storage, handling and use of hazardous materials, and flammable and combustible liquids and gases; egress and emergency access; fire flows and fire growth potential).
• Prepare clear and concise field inspection reports and plan review reports based on applicable codes, standards, policies and procedures of the jurisdiction.
• Process permit applications and plan review applications in accordance with applicable laws, standards, policies and procedures of the jurisdiction.
• Investigate and resolve common and complex complaints, recording the complaint information and ensuring the investigation process is initiated and the complaint resolved in accordance with applications codes and standards and the policies and procedures of the jurisdiction.
• Identify the applicable code or standard in response to a fire protection, fire prevention or life safety issue, including those identified in plan review, and recommend modifications to address the problem, need or deficiency in an inspection report or inspection order.
• Participate in legal proceedings, in consultation with legal counsel, regarding the findings of a field inspection, plan review or complaint.
• Review building plans for compliance with applicable codes and standards for fire and life safety (e.g., occupancy classification, occupant load, construction type, construction features, fire protection systems), and verify newly constructed buildings against an approved set of plans and building features
• Recommend policies and procedures for inspection and plan review to ensure inspections and plan review are conducted in accordance with the policies of the jurisdiction and due process of the law is followed.
• Coordinate fire and life safety educational activities by establishing priorities, preparing budgets, scheduling activities, communicating with stakeholders, and documenting activities.
• Develop public policy recommendations for management to address a specific fire or injury issue.
• Identify and collaborate with partners and community resources, services and organizations to meet community fire and life safety needs and address current issues, submitting requests for resources were required.
• Design, implement, evaluate and revise a fire and life safety education program that is based on a comprehensive educational strategy, target audience needs, and program goals.
• Conduct performance evaluations for fire and life safety subordinates using written performance criteria and following organizational policies.
• Coordinate media relations (e.g., media interviews, media areas, news releases, media advisories, news conferences) using appropriate communication strategies and technologies.
• Coordinate communications to internal audiences and external community organizations.
• Examine documentation and evidence to determine the cause of a fire and to assess the progression, extinguishment and containment of the fire.
• Prepare a written report to reflect the findings of a fire investigation, present findings verbally to an intended audience, and testify during legal proceedings.