Basic Operations and Advanced Technician Firefighter Academy


Information for Enrollment

A member of the IFSI Class Support Team will work directly with sponsoring departments throughout the hiring and Academy enrollment process. Our experienced staff provide a personalized service for every candidate.

The complete Academy curriculum package includes:

  • Firefighter I / NFPA 1010 - Basic Operations Firefighter
  • Firefighter II / NFPA 1010 - Advanced Technician Firefighter
  • American Heart Association CPR
  • American Heart Association First-Aid
  • Resiliency Development for First Responders
  • Opioid Awareness
  • Courage to Be Safe
  • Fire Service Vehicle Operator
    Per OSFM JCAR Section 141.370: After IFSI course completion, the student is required to complete with their sponsoring fire department:
    • Completion of the required NFPA 1010 competency course
    • Completion of an additional 8 hours of documented driving of the vehicles with differing wheelbases in use by the employing authority having jurisdiction.
  • Traffic Incident Management Awareness
  • ICS 100/200/700
  • Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Propane) Firefighting

To meet OSFM and national certification requirements, all students will also need to complete the Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations course following Academy completion unless they have already earned certification. The IFSI Class Support Team will assist with ensuring students are registered appropriately for this additional certification requirement.

In addition, students may also complete the following courses scheduled after the 7-week Academy program to meet department requirements:

  • EMT Basic
  • Fire Apparatus Engineer
  • Common Passenger Vehicle Rescue (formerly Vehicle and Machinery Operations) *

*Note: The Common Passenger Vehicle Rescue course is no longer needed for Illinois state certification. IFSI will continue to schedule classes following the Academy course completion date to meet department training needs.

What is Included in Tuition?

  • 13 courses
  • Physical fitness training program
  • Helmet
  • 6 candidate T-shirts
  • Student textbook, workbook, and manual
  • Pro Board and IFSAC certification fees

Additional Information

Departments are encouraged to reach out to the IFSI Class Support Team as early as possible in their recruitment and hiring process. Continuous communication prevents unnecessary delays in registration, drives expeditious enrollment, and allows our registration portal to remain open until the day prior to a cycle start to support last minute hires.

Departments will need to provide their future candidate's T-shirt size and OSFM number during the enrollment process.

All Academy students must be department sponsored. A Chief's PIN is required to verify this sponsorship.

Cancellation Policy

Please view the cancellation policy for the IFSI Basic Operations and Advanced Technician Academy course.

For questions regarding Academy registration, contact: Melanie Hall