The Certificate in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Fire Service 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 132 hours of coursework is required to be awarded the certificate.
This certificate will help participants gain an increased understanding of the importance of diversity and inclusion, identify barriers to effective inclusive communications, and recognize ways to optimize diverse teams in their departments. Learners will also explore a current topic of interest in the fire service with one of the elective choices.
Who Should Take This Certificate?
- Graduates of the Certificate in General Fire Service Administration;
- Those in leadership positions or those aspiring to leadership positions within their fire departments; and
- Fire Service Officers who would like to champion equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility in their fire departments.
How Will You Benefit?
The Certificate in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Fire Service can help participants:
- appreciate shifting perspectives and why it's essential to increase diversity consciousness;
- create practical strategies to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace;
- use appropriate language when discussing or referring to diverse groups;
- identify barriers to inclusive communications;
- recognize how communication style can influence team relationships;
- understand the principles of building high performing diverse teams;
- 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 five (5) required courses over 132 learning hours:
- OLCD-FIRE0036 Incident Command: Thinking and Acting (36 hours)
- OLCD-PALS0031 Organizational Behaviour (36 hours)
- OLCD-IDEA0001 Understanding EDI: An Organization Imperative (20 hours)
- OLCD-IDEA0002 Inclusive Communications in the Workplace (20 hours)
- OLCD-IDEA0003 Optimizing Diverse Team Performance (20 hours)
Please note: The prerequisite for the Certificate in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Fire Service 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.