Public Safety Fundamentals-2025/2026
| Level 1 | ||||
| Take all Level 1 - Mandatory Courses. | ||||
| Take 1 Level 2 Group (Justice or Fire) | ||||
Group 1 | ||||
| COMP-1496 | Computer Fundamentals | 3 | ||
| To be effective in both college courses and employment, computer and software application skills are essential. Introductory computer concepts included in this course include: file management, internet searches and sites, Microsoft Suite: (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), email use, editing of work, and typing skill test (wpm). | ||||
| COMM-1122 | Document Use in Public Safety | 3 | ||
| The focus of this course is on documents used in Public Safety. Document use requires the user to find and use the information that they need and to then construct information presentation as required namely: graphs, maps, images, schedules, schematics, labels, lists forms and tables. Specific skills required in effective information presentation include: correct grammar, spelling, sentence structure and punctuation. The student will be required to complete public safety documents, use critical analysis and understanding of what goes where, present the information as required and appreciate the legal aspect of PS documents. Opportunity to write the WRIT test upon completion of this course will be available. | ||||
| SOCI-1076 | Ethics & Social Responsibility | 3 | ||
| This course addresses the ethical implications of working in the field of public safety and social responsibility of such employment. Ethical decision-making models and principles will be discussed so as to offer support to students in identifying and responding to ethical issues in their personal and professional lives. The public service culture, ethical fundamentals, social responsibilities and effects of volunteerism will be explored through student participation in volunteering. | ||||
| LAWS-1072 | Canadian Legal System 1 | 3 | ||
| This course will provide an overview of the Canadian legal system with focus on Public Safety. Legislation and its application to public safety will be explored through presentation of how laws are created, federal and provincial legislation, criminal versus civil legislation, the Public Safety Act and the legal systems that are in place to protect the safety of members of the public. Specific public safety field legislations will be addressed. | ||||
| MATH-1194 | Practical Career Math | 3 | ||
| Building a sound foundation in math is important for both college and career success. This course includes basic arithmetic operations, fundamental operations and equations, basic arithmetic skills, problem solving, fractions, decimals, and exponents with focus on career specific applications related to the field of public safety. To this end, the final 2 modules of the course will include for the student progressing into Level 2 Fire Stream: basic trigonometry and geometry and for the student progressing into Level 2 Police, 911 & Public Safety Communications or Legal Streams: both applications of ratios and percent, and basic statistics and probability. | ||||
| DEVL-1068 | Student Success | 3 | ||
| College readiness and career fundamental skills and strategies are the focus of this course. Students will develop their research skills in order to identify and select the stream of public safety they will pursue in Level 2 of this program. They will also be exposed to self-assessments of aptitudes, emotional self-awareness and social-skills, goal setting, time management, note-taking, test preparation strategies and managing college life. | ||||
Group 2 | ||||
| Take WRIT-1089 or WRIT-1091 | ||||
| WRIT-1089 | Reason & Writing 1 for Public Safety | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce public safety students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking. | ||||
| WRIT-1091 | Reason & Writing 1-Indigenous Themes | 3 | ||
| Course Description: This course introduces students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the post-secondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking. Course content will emphasize contemporary Indigenous themes and issues. | ||||
| Level 2 | ||||
| Take 1 of the following groups - | ||||
| Justice or Fire | ||||
Group 1 | ||||
| Justice | ||||
| DEVL-1043 | Public Safety Career Readiness | 4 | ||
| Job search skills and documents including a resume, cover letter and career portfolio with focus on a specific field of public safety are completed in this course. Practical career readiness skills developed in this course include cold calls, speaking and presentation skills, interview skills, dressing and dining skills. Students demonstrate proficiency in group dynamics, akin to a team in the Public Safety workforce, when tasked with case studies, presentations and scenarios. Virtual etiquette, protocol in the workplace, and respect for colleagues and supervisors are emphasized as well. | ||||
| LAWS-1099 | Legal Issues & Documentation | 3 | ||
| Students will be introduced to the concepts of liability, confidentiality, negligence and duty within the public safety profession. Applicable legislations for public safety and privacy laws will be discussed, including Freedom of Information Act requirements, and the importance of records retention, court preparation and accurate documentation. | ||||
| COMP-1554 | Computer Applications: Justice | 3 | ||
| Computer applications as it pertains to public safety work will be introduced in this course. The skills, applications and software that the student will demonstrate proficiency in are: Microsoft Suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, virtual library research, printing (printer use skills e-filing, scanning, sending complex docs to printer), formatting documents in Word and Excel, schedule meetings using Outlook, typing skills in Word and wpm count, scribing /minute taking in Word, correspondence letters, memo drafting and transcription. | ||||
| SOCI-1101 | Diversity & Indigenous People in Canada | 3 | ||
| In this course, students will critically identify and examine issues in diversity; specifically focussing on topics pertaining to inequity in various social settings related to race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and class, with a view to developing an appreciation for the multicultural society in which we live. A career in public safety requires a clear understanding of the impacted groups, strategies for community empowerment and effective communication. Students will also increase their knowledge and awareness of the issues impacting Indigenous Peoples of Canada including rights, self-determination, land issues, justice and social issues. | ||||
| LAWS-1113 | Canadian Legal System 2 | 3 | ||
| This course will take a detailed look at the Canadian Legal System. Focus will be on the history of Canadian law, Canadian Constitution, rights and freedoms in Canada, the judicial structure, civil and criminal cases, the many courts and their differing levels / jurisdictions. | ||||
| PSYC-1001 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | ||
| This introductory course in psychology provides students the opportunity to review some of the major theories and research findings from various branches of psychology. Special attention will be given to implications and applications that are specific to issues in policing, law and security. The following topics will be covered: brain and behaviour, sensation and perception, learning, memory, sleep, drugs, stress, social relations, personality, and psychological disorders. | ||||
| LAWS-1095 | Court Registrar-SCJ Civil & Criminal | 4 | ||
| This course enables students to study the role of a courtroom Registrar for civil, small claims, and criminal court cases in the Superior Court of Justice. Participants will learn pre-, post-, and incourt responsibilities in accordance with Ministry of the Attorney General-approved procedures, practices, and guidelines. Students will also gain an understanding of the jury selection process as it relates to civil and criminal proceedings. | ||||
Group 2 | ||||
| Fire | ||||
| DEVL-1043 | Public Safety Career Readiness | 4 | ||
| Job search skills and documents including a resume, cover letter and career portfolio with focus on a specific field of public safety are completed in this course. Practical career readiness skills developed in this course include cold calls, speaking and presentation skills, interview skills, dressing and dining skills. Students demonstrate proficiency in group dynamics, akin to a team in the Public Safety workforce, when tasked with case studies, presentations and scenarios. Virtual etiquette, protocol in the workplace, and respect for colleagues and supervisors are emphasized as well. | ||||
| MATH-1195 | Technology Math for Public Safety | 4 | ||
| This course is designed to introduce student to the fundamental concepts of math as they apply to public safety. Students will explore these concepts including: expressions and graphing of exponential, polynomial, trigonometric functions, and applications of geometry. Students successfully completing Math 1195 may fulfill admission requirements for Fanshawe College programs requiring Grade 12 Mathematics for College Technology (MCT4C). | ||||
| CHEM-1110 | Chemistry for Public Safety | 4 | ||
| This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamental concepts of chemistry as they apply to public safety. Students will explore these concepts including: matter, chemical - properties, bonds and reactions, solutions, solubility, gas properties, and chemistry of the atmosphere. Focus will be placed on fire safety and prevention where applicable. Students successfully completing CHEM-1110 may fulfill admission requirements for Fanshawe programs requiring Grade 11 Chemistry, Grade 11 (SCH3U). | ||||
| PHYS-1041 | Physics for Public Safety | 4 | ||
| This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamental concepts of physics as they apply to public safety. Students will explore these concepts with respect to motion; mechanical, electrical, electromagnetic, energy transformation, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems; and the operation of commonly used tools and machines. They will develop their scientific investigation skills as they test laws of physics and solve both assigned problems and those emerging from their investigations. Students will also consider the impact of technological applications of physics on society and the environment. Students successfully completing PHYS-1041 may fulfill admission requirements for Fanshawe programs requiring Grade 12 Physics, Grade 12 (SPH4C). | ||||
| FIRE-1009 | Intro to Fire Codes & Standard | 3 | ||
| This course offers assessment of hazards in emergency environments, the measures that need to be taken to avoid accidents and injuries, and the awareness of self-safety when encountering compromised environments. WHMIS training will be completed. | ||||
| SOCI-1101 | Diversity & Indigenous People in Canada | 3 | ||
| In this course, students will critically identify and examine issues in diversity; specifically focussing on topics pertaining to inequity in various social settings related to race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and class, with a view to developing an appreciation for the multicultural society in which we live. A career in public safety requires a clear understanding of the impacted groups, strategies for community empowerment and effective communication. Students will also increase their knowledge and awareness of the issues impacting Indigenous Peoples of Canada including rights, self-determination, land issues, justice and social issues. | ||||
| Program Residency | ||||
| Students Must Complete a Minimum of 11 credits in this program at Fanshawe College to meet the Program Residency requirement and graduate from this program | ||||