Basic Operations and Advanced Technician Firefighter Academy
The Basic Operations and Advanced Technician Firefighter Academy is a resident training program delivered at the IFSI main campus in Champaign. The program incorporates extensive hands-on, practical training activities with a comprehensive academic curriculum designed to prepare entry-level firefighters for the demands of the profession.
Course Duration: 7 weeks (370 Hours)
Prerequisites: None
Department Affiliation Required: Yes
Delivery Method: Lectures, Small Group Discussions, Independent and Group Assignments/Projects, Demonstrations, Practical Skill Development Rotations, Live Fire Rotations, Rolling Responses, Personal Training Sessions, Online Independent Study, Guest Lectures
The Basic Operations and Advanced Technician Firefighter Academy includes the following courses required for state and national certification:
- 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
The courses listed above are all included within the 7-week Academy program duration. Students do not register independently for each course. Enrollment in the Basic Operations and Advanced Technician Firefighter Academy automatically enrolls students in the complete curriculum package.
To meet OSFM and National certification requirements, all students will need to complete the Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations course the week following Academy completion unless they have already earned certification.
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.