Fire and Emergency Services
Bachelor of Applied Business in Emergency Services Courses
Location
Online
Credential
Applied Bachelor's
Program Length
3 years
Modules are generally worth one credit and run in 3-week blocks.
You should expect to spend 7 to 10 hours per week online to complete the requirements.
Each course description also includes the required textbook details, or if readings are supplied in the course materials.
Textbooks are available through the ebookstore.
Core Courses
BES 301-3 OH & S Programs Development - 2 credits |
This module provides learners with a broad overview of current practices and terminology in Occupational Health & Safety, including factors that promote a safety culture, using driving forces as leverage to implement a better safety program, legislation regarding OH&S training, safety audits, and components of a Safety Management System. Pre/co-requisites: None
Textbook: Readings are supplied in the course module. |
BES 325-1 Ethics for Emergency Services - 1 credit |
This module provides the learner with an overview of basic ethics concepts, including students' personal view of ethics and the ethical dilemmas related to their area of emergency services. Learners discuss their interpretation of the four ethical principles and other ethical principles in relation to their work and personal life. Prerequisites: BES 344-1, BES 355-1, BES 370-2 & BES 370-3. Co-requisites: None
Textbooks:
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BES 340-3 Capital Budgeting - 2 credits |
This module introduces learners to basic concepts and methods related to the format and calculation of cash flow statements. Topics covered include: expenditure allocation, authorization, and monitoring process. Learners discuss capital budgeting, particularly methods of analyzing alternative long-term investments and solving capital budgeting problems by applying relevant methods and techniques. Prerequisites: BES 340-1 & BES 340-2. Co-requisites: None
Textbook: Braun, K. W., et al (2021). Managerial Accounting. (4th Cdn. Ed.). Toronto: Pearson. |
BES 340-4 Managerial Accounting - 2 credits |
This course equips emergency services professionals with essential skills to manage capital budgets and projects. Topics include financial principles, risk mitigation, lifecycle costing, and transparent reporting. Students will develop practical expertise through real-world assignments, preparing them to oversee projects and ensure financial accountability in emergency service organizations.
Textbook: Braun. et al (2024). Managerial Accounting. (5th Cdn Ed.). Pearson Canada Inc. |
* BES 341-1 Interpersonal Communications - 1 credit |
This module introduces the learner to the principles, theories, and models of the communication process. Topics include discerning the communication styles of others and the factors that influence this perception. Finally, learners cover causes of workplace conflict and strategies and techniques to employ for improved communication conflict resolution. Pre/co-requisites: None
Textbooks:
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* BES 341-2 Crisis Communications - 2 credits |
This module focuses on a specific type of workplace communication - crisis communications. This module identifies the principles that need to be in place to ensure stakeholders have accurate information, and the public trust is maintained, and provides information to be used in development of a crisis communications plan (CCP). Prerequisites: BES 341-1. Co-requisites: None
Readings are supplied in the module. |
* BES 344-1 Human Resource Management for Emergency Services - 2 credits |
This module introduces learners to the relationship between human resources and the strategic management of an organization. Topics include fundamental Human Resource Management techniques, management development approaches, and performance strategies. Learners are provided the opportunity to develop sensitivity to organizational life and effective personnel decision-making skills at the managerial level. Pre/co-requisites: None
Textbook: Dessler, G., Chhinzer, N., and Gannon, G. L. (2019). Management of Human Resources: The Essentials. (5th Cdn. ed.). Pearson Canada Inc. |
BES 355-1 Emergency Services Management - 1 credit |
This module looks at management competencies and skills required in organizational settings, in terms of various theories and models, and how such skills can be applied to improve management effectiveness. Learners examine the functions of management within organizations, management competencies, and reward systems, and write an essay on benchmarking in the emergency services. Pre/corequisites: None
Textbook: Robbins, S. P., Coulter, M., Leach, E., & Kilfoil, M. (2022). Management. (13th Cdn. Ed.). Pearson Canada |
* BES 355-2 Emergency Services Administration Planning & Policy - 1 credit |
This module introduces learners to the processes required to efficiently and effectively develop an action plan to deal with issues in emergency services administration planning and policy. Learners network in groups to plan, discuss, review, and complete their final project and share their experience in networking and collaborative working experience. Prerequisites: BES 344-1, BES 355-1, BES 370-2 & BES 370-3. Co-requisites: None
Textbooks:
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BES 355-5 Strategic Management in Emergency Services - 2 credits |
Outline under development. To be offered in 2026. |
BES 356-1 Strategic Business Planning - 2 credits |
This module provides learners with an overview of the business planning function, beginning with the objectives in a strategic business plan. Learners analyze their organization’s strengths and limitations in providing services and the trends their organizations may face, identify corresponding strategies, and develop a strategic business plan. Prerequisites: BES 340-1, BES 340-2 & BES 340-3. Co-requisites: None
Textbooks:
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BES 356-2 Resource Management - 1 credit |
This module provides an overview of physical resource management specifically inventories management. Topics covered include the, process, techniques and issues in inventories management in relation to their specific areas of emergency services, the benefits and drawbacks of keeping inventories, and the study of management systems for acquiring and allocating inventories. Pre/co-requisites: None
Textbook: Robbins, S. P., Coulter, M., Leach, E., & Kilfoil, M. (2022). Management. (13th Cdn. Ed.). Pearson Canada Inc. |
BES 370-1 Performance Management & Coaching - 1 credit |
This module provides learners with broad concepts of performance management and coaching including overseeing the work priorities of others, identifying, addressing, reviewing, developing and maintaining personal performance issues. Learners explore managing staff through coaching, the relation between coaching and leadership, performance reviews and modeling high standards of personal performance. Prerequisites: BES 344-1, BES 355-1, BES 370-2 & BES 370-3. Co-requisites: None
Textbook: Langton, N., Robbins S.P., & Judge, T.A. (2023). Organizational Behaviour: Concepts, Controversies, and Applications. (9th Cdn. ed.). Pearson Canada Inc. |
BES 370-2 Organizational Behaviour - 1 credit |
This module covers the theory of individual behaviour, values, and personality, and how elements of personality may influence the organizational environment. Learners examine key elements related to effectiveness and organizational structure and how the constructive uses of conflict, politics, and power and their relationship may affect organizational success. Pre/co-requisites: None
Textbook: Langton, N., Robbins S.P., & Judge, T.A. (2023). Organizational Behaviour: Concepts, Controversies, and Applications. (9th Cdn. ed.). Pearson Canada Inc. |
BES 370-3 Team Leadership & Development - 2 credit |
This module examines the common traits and styles of leadership, the application of competencies for effective leadership change and how to lead effective teams and organizations. Additional topics include an examination of teams, groups, and communities of practice, and current trends in team development issues. Pre/co-requisites: None
Textbooks:
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* BES 380-1 Critical Thinking - 1 credit |
This module's intent is to improve learners' ability to think. It provides an overview of the skills and dispositions crucial to the development and application of critical thinking. Learners determine the importance of critical thinking on a personal, professional, and global scale. Alternative categories of thinking that contribute to sound reasoning and comprehensive thinking skills are examined. Pre/co-requisites: None
Textbook: Readings are supplied in the course module. |
* BES 380-2 Reflective Thinking - 1 credit |
This module builds on the concepts and principles introduced in BES 380-1 Critical Thinking. Students continue to use all the critical thinking skills but focus on the skill of self-regulation and its attendant skill, metacognition. This is the final module of the BAppBus:ES program and is intended to provide students the opportunity to reflect on their program and cohort learning experience. Prerequisites: BES 380-1, BES 400 & All BAppBus:ES Core Modules. Co-requisites: None
Textbook: Readings are supplied in the course module. |
* BES 400 BAppBus: ES Practicum I - 15 credits |
BES 400 is a 15 credit Course. Credits are earned by working full-time as an employee of an Emergency Services employer for 16 weeks, being paid while performing professional emergency services tasks and satisfying specific competencies and other requirements as identified in the sections below; specifically Evaluation Procedures per the Course/Unit Calendar, as well as those conditions specified in a Practicum Agreement and the job description of that Practicum. P/F. Prerequisites: 19 Bachelor of Applied Business: Emergency Services Core Modules. Co-requisites: None
Note: You are expected to make your own practicum arrangements, generally with your employer. Practicum projects will be developed in consultation with a Lakeland College faculty member, your employer and you. |
* BES 410 BAppBus: ES Practicum II - 15 credits |
Credits are earned by working full-time as an employee of an Emergency Services employer for 16 weeks, being paid while performing professional emergency services tasks and satisfying specific competencies and other requirements as identified in the Sections below; specifically Evaluation Procedures per the Course/Unit Calendar, as well as those conditions specified in a Practicum Agreement and the job description of that Practicum. Prerequisites: BES 400 and 19 core B.App.Bus:E.S. modules. Co-requisites: None
Note: You are expected to make your own practicum arrangements, generally with your employer. Practicum projects will be developed in consultation with a Lakeland College faculty member, your employer and you. |
Elective Courses
BES 341-3 Public Relations & Media Skills - 1 credit |
This module introduces learners to public relations and media issues. Topics include the need to, as well as how to represent and promote an organization effectively; what resources are necessary, how to motivate the public to act on public safety issues, and what leadership role the individual may play in public relations. Prerequisites: BES 341-1, BES 341-2, BES 370-1 & BES 370-3. Co-requisites: None
Textbooks:
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BES 341-4 Critical Incident Stress Management - 1 credit |
This module provides learners with a broad overview of the subject of critical incident stress in emergency services workers. Learners examine the practical application of the concepts, principles, models, including the CISM model, and issues related to crisis interventions and programs for the management of critical incident stress. Pre/co-requisites: None
Textbook: Readings are supplied in the course module. |
BES 344-2 Legal Issues in Emergency Services - 1 credit |
This module looks at subject matters important to emergency service members who may serve in a management capacity that deals with law. The following subjects are addressed: History of the Law, Types of Law, How is Law developed and the Canadian Court System, the Law of Tort. Pre/co-requisites: None
Textbook: Readings are supplied in the course module. |
BES 344-3 Labour Relations - 1 credit |
This elective module helps the candidate understand union relations in an emergency service organization. The course is broken into five areas for discussion and information - history of Canadian labour movement and goal of unions, structures of union, labour-management relations, the bargaining process and administering the collective agreement. Pre/corequisites: None Textbook: Readings are supplied in the course module. |
BES 356-3 Risk Management - 1 credit |
This module examines concepts of risk management. It gives the student the essential knowledge and understanding of applying risk management principles, systems, processes, and tools that support a solid risk management plan. The student develops a high-level understanding of the emergent integrated risk management programs for emergency services. The module demonstrates the importance of key elements of an integrated, flexible risk management approach for an all-hazards department. The module also shows the value of a holistic approach to risk identification and management, and the alignment of risk management with the organization’s vision, mission, values, and strategies. Pre/co-requisites: None
Readings are supplied in the module. |
BES 375-1 Future of Leadership - 1 credit |
This module looks at key leadership traits, competencies and skills required in Emergency Service settings. Topics covered include various theories and models, and skills analysis on improving organizational effectiveness. Learners examine the various leadership theories from past and current ones to new leadership concepts for the 21st century. Pre/co-requisites: None
Textbook: Readings are supplied in the course module. |
3 new elective courses are under development and will be available winter 2026.
- BES XXX Change Management - 1 credit
- BES XXX Emotional Intelligence - 1 credit
- BES XXX FOIP - 1 credit
Students are required to complete at least 6 of the above elective modules.
Additional Notes:
*Transfer credit is not available for these modules.
Other business administration or university transfer courses may be taken as electives at the discretion of the dean.