Program Description:
In the Spring of 1998, The State Fire Marshal formed a Task Force to
examine “how to more freely distribute funds to enhance basic
fire service training for all fire department personnel.” Task
force membership included 13 different organizations and associations
representing firefighters and fire departments across the State. The
Task Force agreed to set aside a portion of the annual Reimbursement
Fund to underwrite the costs of a basic regional training program. The
program is delivered through the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI).
It delivers fundamental training in increments convenient to meet the needs of the local department, MABAS division or Mutal Aid Association. Course costs will
be reimbursed to IFSI through the Office of the State Fire Marshal from
the Reimbursement Fund, so training is provided at no fee to the students.
Courses will be scheduled at IFSI, at regional training centers (RTC),
at fire departments that offer to sponsor the training at their facilities,
and at regional fire schools. Departments interested in sponsoring (providing
the classroom and training facilities and helping to coordinate student
attendance) are encouraged to contact IFSI using the standard course
request procedures outlined in this document. The goals of this program
are to provide basic training on fire fighting at the firefighter, vehicle operator,
company officer, and chief levels and to reach fire departments that
have not been able to participate in the certification program. Fire
Departments who have a program to provide Essentials training, who have
training facilities (particularly burn facilities), or who have established
firefighter II certification programs are encouraged to act as regional
sponsors for fire departments who do not have these capabilities. All
participants in the Task Force agree that this is a way to provide critical
training to those for whom it was previously unavailable. It is also
hoped that this program will help in recruiting and retention of volunteer
firefighters, while improving their hands-on fire fighting skills. The
intent is to reach as many firefighters and departments as possible,
so all classes must involve multiple departments, and in most cases,
there must be a minimum of 15 to 20 students in a class.
Note: Most Conerstone classes are contracted through individual departments so you may not be able to register online with us for many of them.
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Reimbursable Request for Training