911 And Public Safety Communications

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes

Last updated on 2025-08-06

Program overview

Program Overview

The 911 and Public Safety Communications program at Fanshawe College is designed to equip students with the essential knowledge and specialized skills necessary to excel as a 911 dispatcher. This one-year certificate program emphasizes the importance of providing a calm and reassuring presence during crises, serving as a vital link between the public and emergency services such as police, fire, and paramedics. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of emergency communications, preparing them for the demanding and unpredictable nature of public safety communications.

Program Structure

The 911 and Public Safety Communications program is structured to be completed in 36 weeks. The program includes:

A hands-on curriculum that covers crisis communications, incident management, and applicable legislation.
Utilization of state-of-the-art Intergraph® Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) software.
A realistic emergency telecommunications lab for processing and dispatching simulated emergency calls.
A six-week field placement in the spring semester to apply learned skills in a real-world setting.

Students are required to complete Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) certification before the field placement. Additionally, a keyboarding competency of 40 words per minute is recommended for successful completion of the program.

Featured Experiences

Hands-on training in a realistic emergency telecommunications lab.
Opportunity to participate in an annual emergency preparedness exercise simulating real emergencies.
Field placement with local public safety agencies to gain practical experience.
Access to experienced instructors with professional backgrounds in emergency services.

Career Options

Graduates of the 911 and Public Safety Communications program can pursue various career opportunities in Canada, including:

Police Communications Operator: Responsible for receiving and responding to emergency and non-emergency calls, deploying police services as needed.
Fire Communications Operator: Handles emergency calls related to fire services, ensuring timely response and coordination.
Ambulance Communications Operator: Manages calls for medical emergencies, dispatching appropriate medical services.
Security Operator: Monitors security systems and provides communication services to ensure safety in various environments.
Logistics Operator: Plans and coordinates communications for transportation services, including trucking and towing.
Army Communication and Information Systems: Provides reliable communication systems for military operations using advanced technology.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

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Last updated on 2025-08-06

Program overview

Academic Requirements

To apply for the 911 and Public Safety Communications program at Fanshawe College, applicants must meet the following Academic Requirements:

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or a mature applicant with the following course:
English: One of the following:
- Grade 12 English (C); a minimum grade of 75 is required.
- Grade 12 English (U); a minimum grade of 65 is required.

Students who do not meet the Academic Requirements are recommended for academic upgrading.

Note: This is a competitive program; we receive more applications from qualified applicants than seats available. Being highly successful in a preparatory program does make your future application more competitive. Fanshawe's Public Safety Fundamentals is the recommended pathway into this program. Graduates of the Public Safety Fundamentals program with a minimum final grade of B+ in WRIT-1089 and a minimum grade of C+ in the remaining courses will qualify for admission to this program.

For international students, admission equivalencies depend on your country of study. Please contact LOA Portal's advisors for any clarification and support regarding specific requirements.

Additionally, transcripts may be required to be evaluated by WES in some cases.

Applicants must also successfully complete the following prerequisite courses:

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) certification prior to the start of the field placement component of the program (approximately Week 2).
It is recommended that applicants have previous keyboarding experience as students are required to meet a keyboarding competency of 40 words per minute to complete the program.

Placement agencies reserve the right to conduct criminal record and/or background checks prior to allowing a student to participate in a field placement with the agency. They also reserve the right to deny a student access to a field placement and not disclose the reason(s) for denying access to their facility. Students who are unable to pass a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC) sector check will be denied access to field placement and will receive a failing grade in the Field Experience course.

Language Requirements

To apply for the 911 and Public Safety Communications program at Fanshawe College, applicants must meet specific English language requirements. The following English proficiency tests are accepted:

TOEFL iBT: Minimum score of 79
IELTS Academic: Overall score of 6.0 with no score less than 5.5 in any of the four bands
CAEL: Score of 70 in writing, reading, and speaking, and a score of 80 in listening
PTE Academic: Minimum score of 53
Cambridge English: Overall score on the Cambridge English Scale of 169 with no language skill less than 162
ESL4/GAP5: Minimum grade of 75% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 10

Please check with our team for more details.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.

Not meeting the minimum language requirements?

You may still be able to apply!