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You are eligible to apply for a spot in one of the cohorts if you are:

• Currently in good standing as either a working or volunteering member of a fire department in Nova Scotia
• Have been working in fire service for 5 years or longerÌý
• Are looking to grow your career in a leadership capacityÌý
• You have NOT already taken the Certificate in Fire Service Leadership through »ÆÉ«Ö±²¥Ìý

All courses are fully online. Coursework is delivered week-to-week through »ÆÉ«Ö±²¥â€™s learning management system.

Bi-weekly virtual live sessions are designed for applied learning and real-time tasks. Important networking opportunities with your instructor and counterparts are also a key part of these meetings. Sessions are held on Microsoft Teams.Ìý

Participants of the program will also be invited to an in-person reception held at »ÆÉ«Ö±²¥ in Fall 2026, as well as an in-person ceremony and reception upon program completion – also at »ÆÉ«Ö±²¥.Ìý

• Station Officer Essentials: People and Operations
• Fire Prevention and Suppression Management
• Environment of the Fire Station
• Municipal Finance
• Municipal Administration Essentials
• Nova Scotia Fire Service Human Resource Leadership

The courses run for either 6 weeks or 12 weeks (see schedule below). Regardless of the length, each course requires approximately 3-4 hours of course work per week.Ìý

If selected, you will need access to reliable internet, a computer or laptop with video and audio capacities, and time and space for you to engage.Ìý

Upon successful completion of all six (6) courses, you will receive two certificates:

1. The Nova Scotia Fire Service Leadership Certificate
2. »ÆÉ«Ö±²¥ Certificate in Fire Service LeadershipÌý

You also will have earned most of the requirements for your Certificate in General Fire Service Administration. You will need to complete Fire Service Strategic Planning, and ONE of two possible elective courses: Wildfire and Climate Change Adaptation Management OR Introduction to Occupational Stress and Resilience for First Responder Leaders (through »ÆÉ«Ö±²¥).Ìý

Each course is different, but your knowledge and skills we be assessed through various activities, such as virtual live sessions, online asynchronous discussions, quizzes, case studies, and written submissions.Ìý

As this is a fully funded pilot program, participants are expected to:

• Complete the program in its entirety if selected*
  • Attend all virtual live sessions (if sessions cannot be attended due to shift work, this must be clearly communicated in advance)
  • Maintain a minimum grade of 70% in all coursesÌýÌý
• Provide feedback to »ÆÉ«Ö±²¥ to inform future delivery of this or similar programsÌý
• Engage in the course content and live sessions for maximum benefit

*Failure to complete the entire certificate may affect your department and/or municipality’s opportunities for funding in the future (i.e. Emergency Service Provider Fund, Regional Training grants, etc.).