The Certificate in First Responder Health and Wellness is offered fully online. Courses are a combination of self-study as well as live online sessions. All courses can be taken individually. Successful completion of at least 108 hours of coursework is required to be awarded the certificate.
This certificate will help leaders in the fire service learn about occupational stress and trauma so they can address the mental health needs of emergency services personnel.
Who Should Take This Certificate?
- Current and aspiring leaders in the fire service
How Will You Benefit?
The Certificate in First Responder Health and Wellness can help participants:
- gain an awareness of the types of trauma that impacts first responders;
- critically evaluate mental health supports and services, and understand implementation options within a first responder workplace;
- anticipate and be open to changes in the workplace;
- support workplace teams in working together effectively; and
- learn skills to become better managers and leaders within the workplace.
Certificate Requirements
The certificate consists of three (3) required courses over 90 learning hours. The required courses are:
- OLCD-FIRE0036 Incident Command: Thinking and Acting (36 hours)
- OLCD-PALS0031 Organizational Behaviour (36 hours)
- OLCD-PALS0033 Introduction to Occupational Stress and Resilience for First Responder Leaders (18 hours)
Participants can choose one (1) elective from the options below.
- OLCD-FIRE0033 Wildfire and Climate Change Adaptation Management (18 hours)
- OLCD-IDEA0001 Understanding EDI: An Organization Imperative (20 hours)
- OLCD-IDEA0003 Optimizing Diverse Team Performance (20 hours)
Please note: The prerequisite for the Certificate in First Responder Health and Wellness is the Certificate in General Fire Service Administration.
Fees and Schedule
See each course for the applicable tuition fee. Each course is offered at least once a year.
For assistance or more information, please contact openlearning@dal.ca.
Recognition of Prior Learning
It may be possible to receive advanced standing in this certificate based on your prior learning from work or life experience. We provide two types of recognition of prior learning:
- Prior Certified Learning: Assessment of prior coursework or training through a provider, that is neither a university or college, for the purpose of advanced standing. Examples of certified learning may include military courses, accredited certificates, workplace training programs, etc.
- Prior Experiential Learning: Assessment of previous work and life learning that may be equivalent to learning outcomes of university courses / programs, for the purpose of advanced standing. Relevant prior learning may come from work or volunteer experience, participation on committees or boards, independent study, etc.
To discuss how to use your prior learning to apply for advanced standing, please contact rpl@dal.ca.