Fire Protection Engineering Technician (FPN)

Start in January, September

Study Option

Full-time & Part-time

Credential

Ontario College Diploma

School

School of Fire Protection Engineering Technology

About the Fire Protection Engineering Technician (FPN) Program

Are you interested in pursuing a career in firefighting? This diploma program will help you establish the fundamentals to support your career in firefighting or as a fire protection engineering technician. Your studies will include introduction to the fire service, firefighter fitness and building/fire code analysis. You will also gain hands-on experiential learning in the areas of technical rescue, wildland firefighting and fire alarm and suppression systems. This diploma provides you with a solid foundation of fire protection principles to fortify your firefighter career aspirations while helping to explore the wider fire protection industry. After the first semester, a separate fire protection engineering technician stream is available for those interested in pursuing the fire alarm and suppression system design and maintenance career options.

Graduates of this program have the option to transfer into the Firefighter, Pre-Service Education and Training program. This diploma obtained through this program is a preferred qualification for many firefighter applications in Ontario.

Computer Requirements

It is strongly recommended that you have a laptop before the first day of this program. It should include the following minimum technical specifications:

Windows 11 Operating System
Intel i7 or equivalent processor
16 GB of RAM (32 GB of RAM is recommended)
256 GB Solid State Hard Drive (SSD) (512 GB SSD is recommended)
High-end graphics video card (consider a dedicated video card with at least 2 GB of video memory)
13-inch or larger screen
Three USB 3.0 ports
Wireless 802.11ac

Skills

Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:

Perform fundamental firefighter tasks including firefighter fitness, fire suppression techniques and special rescue.
Confirm building and fire code compliance related to building construction and fire safety systems
Analyze essential fire dynamics principles
Perform fundamental fire investigation tasks to determine potential cause and origin
Perform fundamental fire inspection tasks to determine life safety compliance
Troubleshoot fire protection alarm and sprinkler systems
Collaborate and work in a team

Program Duration

Study at your own pace: In this program you’ll have the flexibility to choose how many courses you want to take each term. Students who study full-time can complete this program in as little as two years (four semesters). Duration will depend on the number of courses taken each term. See courses for more information.

Maximum completion time: In accordance with ministry requirements, all students must complete the program within four years of being admitted.

Start in	Study Option	Location	Availability
Jan. 2027	Full-time	Newnham	Open
Jan. 2027	Part-time	Newnham	Open
Sept. 2027	Full-time	Newnham	Open
Sept. 2027	Part-time	Newnham	Open

Availability is subject to change and a seat is not guaranteed.

Start in	Study Option	Location	Availability
Sept. 2026	Full-time	Newnham	Closed
Jan. 2027	Full-time	Newnham	Open

Availability is subject to change and a seat is not guaranteed.

International students: Studying part-time is not an available option as this will impact your study permit and PGWP eligibility. Review the requirements before choosing your program and study option.

Program and Course Delivery

This program is offered in Seneca's hybrid delivery format with some courses available in Seneca's flexible delivery format. Some coursework is online and some must be completed in person. Students will need to come on campus to complete in-person learning requirements.

In courses delivered in the flexible format, using interactive learning spaces, professors teach in person to students in a physical classroom or lab and stream to students online at the same time. Students have a choice of coming to campus for an in-person experience or learning online.

Learn more: Seneca’s program delivery options and how courses in this program will be delivered each term.

Your Career

When you graduate from this program, these are the types of career options you can explore:

Fire Service

Firefighter (preferred qualification)
Wildland firefighter
Fire and life safety public educator

Fire Engineering Technician

Fire alarm technician
Fire alarm designer
Fire alarm sales representative 
Fire safety plan designer
Fire extinguisher technician

Affiliations/Associations

Canadian Fire Alarm Association (CFAA)
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Office of the Ontario Fire Marshall

Professional Certification

NFPA 1072 Hazardous Materials Awareness & Operations (IFSAC and ProBoard)
NFPA 1031 Fire Inspector Level I (IFSAC and ProBoard)
NFPA 1035 Public Educator Level I (IFSAC and ProBoard)
Canadian Fire Alarm Association (CFAA) recognition and course equivalencies
BCIN Fire Protection (MMAH) (exam prep)

The Seneca Polytechnic Difference

This is where university meets college. Where theory meets practice. Where ambition meets flexibility.

Fire Sprinkler Lab

You will gain hands-on, practical experience in our state-of-the-art Fire Sprinkler Systems Lab, preparing you for your in-demand career.

Degree Pathways

Every Seneca diploma has a degree pathway. You have the opportunity to continue your studies and complete a degree at Seneca or a partner institution.

Prior Experience

Earn credit for previous studies, work experience or training through Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition and transfer credits.

Career Support

Seneca Works offers students and graduates lifelong access to an exclusive job board, career coaching, networking and more.

Fire Protection Engineering Technician (FPN)

Campus

Delivery

Duration