Fire & Emergency Services

FAQ

Ask Lakeland covers a number of general and specific topics related to applying, financial aid, residence and other topics. Check out the existing questions and answers. Or, ask your own question.

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	Is there a way to evaluate whether or not emergency services is the right career for me?
Before you apply, you should ask yourself some hard questions. Does my lifestyle support ethical and responsible choices and actions? Am I prepared to maintain a level of professionalism on and off duty? Does my lifestyle align itself with the fire service values of respect, pride, professionalism, and teamwork? Am I actively supporting my community for the benefit of others? Have I adopted and do I maintain physical fitness as a way of life? Am I physically able to perform the firefighter job tasks? Can I work for extended periods of time under difficult and strenuous conditions? Am I comfortable using different hand/power tools and technical equipment? Do I have a support system in place for debriefing and stress relief? Have I considered the impact shift work will have on my family environment? Am I familiar with and able to operate within a paramilitary working environment? Do I understand and will I abide by the hair and jewellery wearing standards? Am I able to work harmoniously in close quarters with other people? Do I treat all people with respect, dignity, and professionalism regardless of race?
	How fit do I need to be?
These are physically intensive and demanding careers. So you do need to be fit. We no longer do fitness assessment before your application is accepted. There’s no magic number of how many push ups you need to do in a minute. However, you do have to have medical clearance. In the EST program you have a 3 credit physical fitness course. You won’t just do activities, you’ll also learn strategies to achieve and maintain the fitness you need for your job.
	Explain the difference between the 2 streams of the EST program?
In both programs you’ll do basic firefighting training. After that you go into a specialized stream – emergency medicine or firefighting. In the medical stream, you earn paramedic qualifications. In the fire stream, you do advanced firefighting training as well as investigation, inspection and instructor training.
	Is EMR a prerequisite?
It is for the medical stream of the EST program. You may take it in any province. All we need is proof and it needs to be valid through to the end of the program. While EMR isn't required for the fire stream, we do recommend it.
	What requirements do I need for the 12-week Firefighter Training Program?
To start there’s a medical clearance. You also need to have a class 5 drivers’ license and an airbrakes endorsement. You’ll be driving a variety of emergency response vehicles. Besides that there are also academic requirements of grade 12 English, at least grade 11 math and at least one grade 11 science.
	Is there a uniform requirement?
Yes for both the EST and Firefighter Training programs. Your uniforms will be similar to what emergency services personnel wear. Details will be provided when you’re accepted in the program.
	I know there's a lot of hands-on scenario training. How much time is spent on bookwork?
More than most people imagine. You have lots of material to get through before you go into the field. As well you have exams. There is a lot of reading and studying besides the physical demands of the training field.
	What's the FFT blended learning option?
You’re able to take most of the academic portion of the course online. Then you are on-site at ETC for the technical training. We developed this option for people who couldn’t spend 12 weeks away from their home and current jobs. Instead you’ll be here for about 5 weeks, and have about 4 months to complete the online courses before you come to Lakeland.
	Where can I live during my course?
Spots are available in the Vermilion Residence Village. You’re sent a residence application with your acceptance. There are also a limited number of rental spaces in and around the town of Vermilion and neighbouring communities.

What Students Say

With the Student-Managed Farm you learn to be accountable for what you’re doing and the choices you make. You get an understanding of what it’s like to be out in industry or on a farm making decisions that count.

– Anthony Biglieni

Agribusiness Class of 2006

What Alumni Say

Lakeland College has been a integral partner in growing our own through the school of business. As an alumnus of the college, I have first-hand learning experience in the school of business. The professors welcome Servus Credit Union to facilitate classes in the Business Ethics course each year.

– Sandi Unruh

Senior Human Resources Consultant

What Faculty & Staff Say

Vertex has had great experience bringing on students from Lakeland College. We have found the Bachelor of Applied Science (Environmental Management) program to provide students with good academic knowledge of the environmental industry and the criteria that governs the land reclamation

– Sean Fuller B.Sc., P.Ag.

Vice President, Environmental Services, Vertex.

What Alumni Say

There is no way I would be where I am today without Lakeland College. It inspired me to be a better person and to get a job in something I love doing. I am so thankful I had such a great experience at Lakeland and I hope future students do as well.

– Danielle Gaboury

Business studies, Class of 2016.

What Students Say

I recommend the UT program to people all the time. The smaller setting Lakeland offers, is very conducive to learning. It's less intimidating than the larger universities and allows for more class interactions and discussions

– Kelly Mykytuk

2nd year UT student, 2017-18

What Alumni Say

I have loved my experience at Lakeland. The teachers are personable, and quick to share about their own experiences. They encouraged me to run with my own ideas and see what would happen; they got excited about my designs, which gave me the confidence to do my best and be more creative.

– Payton Ramstead

Class of 2016, Interior Design student.

What Alumni Say

At Lakeland College you are guaranteed to have time out of the classroom where you can put everything you learned together and actually see that what you’re learning is relevant.

– Alisa Brace

Animal Health Technology, Class of 2016.

What Alumni Say

The friendships I made, the experiences we were provided with, and the welcoming atmosphere of the Vermilion Campus made my time at Lakeland extremely valuable and memorable

– Grayden Kay

Animal Science & Agribusiness, Class of 2016.

What Alumni Say

Lakeland College was a learning environment unlike any other school. It allows students to learn beyond the classroom, and staff and faculty genuinely want to see students succeed. It’s a place where you can feel comfortable asking questions and where everyone has a place and fits in.

– Carson Reid

Agribusiness, Class of 2016.

What Alumni Say

The instructors were the highlight of my time at Lakeland. It made a huge impact on my college experience to have instructors who challenged, encouraged, and believed in me.

– Jessica Cadrain

Child & Youth Care, Class of 2016.

What Alumni Say

At the beginning of my first year, I was really stressed out as I felt I had no artistic ability. But with the instruction and time put in by the interior design faculty, I was able to develop my artistic abilities. Now I am fully confident in and exceeding well in the artistic side of this career!

– Naomi Mason

Interior Design Technology, Class of 2016.

What Alumni Say

I just feel like you get the best education at Lakeland, especially from the time that the instructors can actually spend with you. I like the class sizes too – everything’s been great about my Lakeland experience.

– Dean Coulson

Heavy Equipment Technician, Class of 2016.

What Alumni Say

I do give Lakeland College credit for reigniting my interest and even preparing me for Miss Rodeo Canada. Lakeland helped me to grow enough to have the confidence to think I could take on that role and become that person. I think that I have and I am really grateful for that

– Ali Mullin

Agribusiness, class of 2014, former Miss Rodeo Canada.

What Alumni Say

I feel the professors at Lakeland actually prepared me for the profession. It’s impossible to be just a number here when there are 12 students in all of your classes. When the school advertised small class sizes, they actually meant it.

– Stephen Mark Visser

Real Estate Appraisal and Assessment, Class of 2016.

What Alumni Say

I was involved in the president’s gala in April where I was an emcee for the evening, it was a great experience, and I had a lot of fun doing it and would recommend it to everyone.”

– Lucas Tetreault

HOPE Power Engineering, Class of 2017.

What Alumni Say

I would recommend Lakeland College for the simple fact that it's for everybody. As a mature student who went back to school much later than his 18th year, I was immediately accepted, and not ostracized in the least

– Donald James Shaw

Accounting Major, Class of 2016.

What Alumni Say

All the hands-on learning was great and very helpful once placed into the industry. Having clients leave with a smile after each service assured me that I was in the right field of work. I would recommend Lakeland to anyone.

– Courtnee Coolidge

Esthetician, Class of 2016.

What Alumni Say

The professors care so much about their students at Lakeland and are able to know each and every one of them by name, so much so that they are able to nominate a ton of students for awards.

– Stephanie Wakefeild

University Transfer, Class of 2016.

What Alumni Say

They really put you in the lead at Lakeland. Lakeland cares about its students, empowers them, and gives them opportunities to achieve their goals. I don’t see Lakeland as a stepping stone or a first step – I see it as a bridge and an integral part of my education.

– Alyssa Wells

University Transfer, Class of 2017.

What Alumni Say

I wanted to get experience in the field of assessment as it would give me exposure to what it’s like day to day. It was an invaluable experience as I find it hard to imagine what it would be like working in a particular field or area until I’m doing the work.

– Sheldon Farrell

Real estate appraisal and assessment, Class of 2017.

What Alumni Say

In the campus spa, they give you time to work with each client so nothing is rushed and you’re able to concentrate on providing the best service you can to your client.

– Daphney Couturier

Esthetician, Class of 2017.

What Alumni Say

It’s going to be a lot easier to start our first jobs having this experience and having been able to build our confidence in the campus spa. I love that we get to have this opportunity.

– Darby Watchel

Esthetician, Class of 2017.

What Employers Say

Lakeland is a great place to find employees. The college provides real world training that equips soon-to-be employees with knowledge and people skills that are highly sought after in the agriculture industry these days.

– Dustin Dinwoodie

Key Account Manager – Western Canada Arysta LifeScience