Overview
The Industry Partnership Certificate in Fire Executive Management is an industry-led initiative. It is designed to equip you with the business administration and management skills crucial for leadership positions in BC’s Fire Departments. This program complements your technical expertise gained from hands-on experience as a firefighter.
The Industry Partnership Certificate in Fire Executive Management is an industry-led initiative that will provide you with the business administration and management skills necessary to step into leadership and administration roles in BC’s Fire Departments.
This program is designed to complement the technical training you already have acquired through your work experience as a firefighter. If you are working as a firefighter or officer, can distinguish yourself by acquiring critical thinking, analytical, and people skills required for leadership positions in the fire service.
About the program
- Average 2-5 years to complete, part-time
- 8 core courses with 23 elective credits
- Optional practicum component
- Courses available online and on two campuses
To see more about how the Fire Executive Management Industry Certificate prepares you to further your career, see the Program Details page.
Who should complete the Fire Executive Management Industry Certificate?
This program is specially targeted to help mature students advance their education. If you have experience in a fire department and are looking to learn more leadership and management skills, visit our Entrance Requirements page to apply today.
What grads can do
You’ll study with experienced professionals to get the real-world skills you need to become a successful leader in your fire department. Not only will you train on core business and management topics, but you’ll also choose from a variety of electives to best suit the particular needs for you and your department.
This unique training prepares you for leadership and administration positions within the fire and first-responder fields. Additionally, qualified graduates can then apply to continue their studies with BCIT’s Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree program for broader training.
To learn more about opportunities through this program, visit the Graduating and Jobs page.
- Next up Entrance Requirements
Entrance Requirements
Application processing
This program is open to declarations beginning:
- February 1st* for the January intake
- May 1st* for the April intake
- October 1st* for the September intake
Entrance requirements
Declarations submitted for program intakes beginning April 1, 2025 or later will be evaluated using the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement below.
- English language proficiency: Category 2 – English Studies 12 (67%) or equivalent
Applicants must meet one of the following entrance requirements:
- Actively working in the fire service, or
- A minimum of seven years of fire industry related work experience, or equivalent, or
- Completion of Fire Officer 1
International applicants
This program is not available to international students. View available programs.
Program declaration
Step 1: Department assessment
A departmental assessment is required to determine if you are eligible for transfer credits and/or additional prior learning credits. Further, the program manager will assist you in choosing the path that best fits your personal needs and experience.
- To complete the Fire Executive Management pre-assessment submit the following documents:
- Resume2
- Proof of Fire Officer Training Completion1, if applicable
- Additional post-secondary transcripts2, if applicable. Unofficial transcripts can be sent in this step.
1 Completion of Fire Officer training will provide you with transfer credits for 3 to 9 courses, depending on the level of training completed.
2 Unofficial post-secondary transcripts and resume may be submitted for assessment to determine whether there is the possibility for further transfer credits and/or Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) credits. Official transcripts and/or training verification letters should be sent later in the process, once the program is declared.
To start your assessment:
- Create a BCIT ID.
- Email your BCIT Student ID and documentation to BCIT_firstresponder@bcit.ca.
Step 2: Program declaration
Once you are ready to start the program, click the Declare Now button below and follow the steps to declare Fire Executive Management as your flexible learning (part-time studies) program.
Please have the following documents ready to upload:
- Assessment Form (you will receive this after completion of Step 1)
- A fully completed Transfer Credit Form , if applicable1
1 If you are applying for Transfer Credits, please also have your official transcript(s) and/or in-house training letter(s) sent directly from the institute to the Program Declaration Specialist at declarepts@bcit.ca or by mail to:
BCIT Student Information and Enrolment Services
Attention: Program Declaration Specialist
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC V5G 3H2
Note: For the area of study category, choose Business & Media.
Declare Now
Transfer credit for Fire Officer levels completed
For completion of Fire Officer 1 you receive credit for:
- BUSA 1305 – Supervisory Skills
- HRMG 2805 – Workplace Health & Safety
- HRMG 3505 – Training and Development
For completion of Fire Officer 2 you receive credit for:
For completion of Fire Instructor 1 you receive credit for:
Further transfer credit can be applied for additional Fire Officer training beyond Level 2.
Original transcripts, certificates, or departmental letters outlining the Fire Officer level completed are required to apply for transfer credits.
If you have already declared your program and would like to apply for transfer credit at a later date, please send your completed Transfer Credit Form to the Declaration Specialist listed above in Step 2.
Note: If you only have Fire Officer original certificates, please contact the Program Administrator to discuss alternatives.
Scheduled Intakes
Ongoing Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) intakes: January, April, and September.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR) lets students use knowledge and skills learned through on-the-job experience to gain exemption for particular courses in the program.
Students who wish to apply for PLAR for experience in courses not listed above may contact the program administrator to discuss their options based on their experiences.
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- Next up Costs & Supplies
Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) tuition is charged on a course-by-course basis. Please see the Flexible Learning Tuition & Fees page for more information.
- Go back Entrance Requirements
- Next up Courses
Courses
Important Updates to Flexible Learning
English Requirement: Find out more.
Your courses in the Fire Executive Management Certificate Program give you the essential business and leadership skills for administering a fire department. With eight required core courses like Employment Law, Management Policy, and Labour Relations, you will focus on the practical knowledge of management. Choose from classes like Media Relations, Negotiation Skills, and Leadership to fulfill twenty-three credits in electives that suit your unique goals. You also have the option of completing a practicum to gain real hands-on experience with an administrative project.
Those who have completed Fire Officer training should refer to the Entrance Requirements page to learn about transfer credits.
Please note: part-time programs and courses are open enrolment and although we make every effort to accommodate demand, course registration cannot be guaranteed in every semester. High-demand courses fill quickly and may result in students unable to register for a course that semester. Courses may also be cancelled due to low enrolment.
Program matrix
Check current availability of courses for this program.
Required Core Courses: | Credits | ||
---|---|---|---|
BSYS 2051 | Introduction to Business Data Analytics with MS Excel-MS 365 for Windows | 3.0 | |
BUSA 4800 | Management Policy* | 4.0 | |
FMGT 1152 | Accounting for the Manager | 3.0 | |
HRMG 3105 | Human Resource Management Fundamentals | 4.0 | |
HRMG 3205 | Labour Relations 1 | 3.0 | |
HRMG 4155 | Performance Management | 3.0 | |
ORGB 1105 | Organizational Behaviour | 4.0 | |
and | |||
BLAW 3905 | Employment Law | 4.0 | |
or | |||
BLAW 3100 | Business Law | 4.0 | |
* Courses with an asterisk are to be completed last | |||
Complete 23.0 credits from the following list of electives: | Credits | ||
Electives are determined by the Fire Department. If you are uncertain of the electives required by your department, please contact the Program Administrator. |
|||
BUSA 1305 | Supervisory Skills | 3.0 | |
BUSA 2005 | Principles of Management | 4.0 | |
BUSA 2705 | Teamwork Skills | 3.0 | |
BUSA 2905 | Managing Conflict in the Workplace | 3.0 | |
BUSA 3015 | Negotiation Skills | 3.0 | |
BUSA 3105 | Leadership 1 - People Skills | 3.0 | |
BUSA 3155 | Leadership 2 - Team Skills | 3.0 | |
BUSA 3165 | Leadership 3 - Leading Organizations | 3.0 | |
BUSA 4100 | Practicum 1 | 8.0 | |
BUSA 4200 | Practicum 2 | 8.0 | |
BUSA 4705 | Leading People and Teams Across Cultures | 4.0 | |
COMM 1103 | Introduction to Business and Technical Communication | 3.0 | |
COMM 2202 | Business and Technical Correspondence | 3.0 | |
ECON 1150 | Economic Issues | 3.0 | |
ECON 2100 | Microeconomics | 3.0 | |
ECON 2200 | Macroeconomics | 4.0 | |
FMGT 2100 | Accounting 2 | 5.5 | |
HRMG 2805 | Workplace Health & Safety | 3.0 | |
HRMG 3305 | Recruitment and Selection | 3.0 | |
HRMG 3505 | Training and Development | 3.0 | |
MKTG 1019 | Media Relations | 3.0 | |
MKTG 1102 | Essentials of Marketing | 3.0 | |
OPMT 1110 | Business Mathematics | 4.0 | |
OPMT 1130 | Business Statistics | 5.5 | |
OPMT 1187 | Project Management Essentials | 3.0 | |
ORGB 2505 | Interpersonal Skills | 3.0 | |
ORGB 2605 | Managing Organizational Change | 3.0 | |
Total Credits: | 51.0 |
Check current availability of courses for this program.
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
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- Next up Program Details
Program Details
In BCIT’s Fire Executive Management Certificate, you’ll engage in real-world experience that you can use in your fire department and advance your career. Your hands-on training with experienced professionals gives you a competitive advantage over others competing for administration positions.
This program partners with local fire departments to provide specific and individual educational plans. Some of the partnering departments include:
- Burnaby Fire Department
- City of North Vancouver Fire Department
- Coquitlam Fire and Rescue
- Delta Fire and Emergency Services
- District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services
- New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services
- Pitt Meadows Fire and Rescue Services
- Port Coquitlam Fire and Emergency Services
- Surrey Fire Services
- Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services
- Victoria Fire Department
- White Rock Fire Rescue
BCIT welcomes students and departments who are not listed in the departments above. Departments interested in creating a customized career development plan can email us or visit the First Responder Career Development Program for more information.
Program length
The length of the program depends on the number of courses you take per semester. This program can be completed in as little as three years, part-time.
Program delivery
In person: This program is delivered on campus.
Program location
Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC
Downtown Campus
555 Seymour Street
Vancouver, BC
Program structure
This program consists of eight required core courses and 23.0 elective credits. Elective credits may be pre-determined by the student’s fire department and must be selected from the list presented in the program matrix. To confirm what your department’s elective credits are, please contact the Program Administrator.
Continue your education
All courses with the exception of BUSA 4100 and BUSA 4200 can be applied towards other programs at BCIT such as the Bachelor of Business Administration or the Business Management Advanced Diploma. Courses may be subject to program approval and program residency requirements.
- Go back Courses
- Next up Graduating & Jobs
Graduating & Jobs
From the very beginning of the program, you are considered individually by program managers to give you a level of support in completing a credential that’s the best fit for your needs and experience. Through BCIT’s Fire Executive Management Certificate Program, you’ll gain invaluable experience and knowledge to give you a competitive edge and provide you with the business and leadership skills essential for administrative roles in the fire department.
Some opportunities for grads include:
- Fire Chief
- Deputy Fire Chief
- Assistant Fire Chief
- Other leadership or management positions with the first responder field
Qualified graduates of the program may also apply for acceptance into BCIT’s Executive Pathway for the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree program. The Fire Executive Management program ladders into the BBA program, which you can complete full-time or part-time.
Apply for graduation
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, complete an Application for BCIT Credential [PDF] and submit it to Student Information and Enrolment Services.
Allow approximately six to eight weeks for processing.
All financial obligations to the Institute must be met prior to issuance of any credential.
- Go back Program Details
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Contact Us
Contact a Flexible Learning Program Advisor with the BCIT program name in the subject line if you have a question about:
- Course selection and program planning
- Declaring your program
- Making changes to your approved program plan
- Applying for transfer credit and advanced placement
- Laddering options
- Job placement and graduate outcomes
- Student life
Questions or comments?
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