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The purpose of the IAFF Fire Ground Survival program is to ensure that training for Mayday prevention and Mayday operations are consistent between all firefighters, company officers, and chief officers. Firefighters must be trained to perform potentially life-saving actions if they become lost, disoriented, injured, low on air, or trapped.

This course utilizes 6 IAFF Fire Ground Survival Master Instructors to provide 4 days of training (8:00-5:00) to 30 qualified firefighters who, upon successful completion, will receive the “Certified FGS Instructor” designation. 

The Train-the-Trainer course has three main purposes:

• to review the online materials to increase the candidates’ knowledge related to fire ground survival, 
• to improve the candidates’ ability to deliver the prepared classroom lessons to firefighters, and 
• to improve the candidates’ ability to demonstrate and teach the practical survival skills that are part of the FGS curriculum.

Applications are now open for the 2026 Train-the-Trainer course, which will take place in Oakville from January 12–15, 2026.

We encourage eligible participants to apply and join the growing network of instructors committed to advancing firefighter safety across the province.

To register for the course, all participants must complete an application.  Guidelines are available to assist you in your application.  The deadline to apply is December 15, 2025

The train-the-trainer program utilizes Master Instructors and is designed to certify FGS Instructors from the ranks of firefighters.  These certified instructors will have the ability to train their fire department’s recruits and incumbents who have completed the FGS Online Awareness Course.  

The OPFFA maintains a list of certified FGS Instructors.  Only those who have participated in an OPFFA-hosted FGS Train-the-Trainer course are certified to instruct using the new Fire Rescue Prop.

Please contact admin@ontariofirefighters.org for information regarding certified instructors.

The overarching objectives of this program are to:

• Reduce economic barriers to municipalities across the province to access professional development for their employees that otherwise would be inaccessible,
• To facilitate a permanent skills transfer, 
• To offer highly targeted training: evidence-informed, peer-to-peer, skill-building programs designed by and for professional firefighters, and
• To support and help develop a resilient workforce and build capacity for employers.

The OPFFA will prioritize interested applicants for this program using the objectives listed in the About the Course Section.

Prior to the in-person training, all participants must complete an FGS Online Awareness Course as a prerequisite. 

Shift Subsidies:  As part of the funding received from the Ministry of Labour, the OPFFA is able to offer shift substitutions to FGS Train-the-Trainer course participants up to a maximum of 50%. 

Click HERE to submit a request for subsidization.

Travel Subsidies: Travel subsidies (to a maximum of $1000/attendee) are available under the following guidelines:

• Air travel is permitted when it is the most practical and economical way to travel. Choose the lowest fare available when purchasing a ticket.
• Rail travel is permitted when it is the most practical and economical way to travel. Choose the lowest fare available when purchasing a ticket.
• Road Travel – where possible carpooling is advised. 
• The use of a personal vehicle is permitted, and mileage will be reimbursed using the same rates the Ontario government uses.
  

If renting a vehicle, choose the lowest cost model guided by the principle that the rental vehicle is the most economical and practical size, considering the business purpose, number of occupants, safety considerations and any reasonable accommodation requirements.

Click HERE to submit a request for subsidization.