Basic Operations and Advanced Technician Firefighter
The Illinois Fire Service Institute offers nationally certified Firefighter I and II training. The Basic Operations and Advanced Technician Firefighting Program is designed to give firefighters the practical and cognitive training needed to operate safely and effectively on the fireground. The program focuses on an intense hands-on approach to promote skill competency and familiarity with the fireground.
Effective June 2025, IFSI has packaged the traditional Academy and BOF programs to include supplemental courses needed for state and national certification. This includes the integration of Basic Operations Firefighter (Firefighter I) and Advanced Technician Firefighter (Firefighter II) into one cohesive training program. While these changes have altered the course name and enrollment process, the quality of IFSI training programs remains. We are proud to serve as the statutory fire academy for Illinois and are committed to offering premier training that meets and exceeds national training standards.
Upon successful completion of all required Basic Operations and Advanced Technician program components, students will earn certification with the Pro Board and IFSAC. After Illinois students complete the Fire Service Vehicle Operator required driving practical components through their fire department, they are eligible to apply for OSFM certification.
If you have completed Firefighter l before July 1, 2025, and need to enroll in the 40-hour Firefighter ll / NFPA 1010 - Advanced Technician Firefighter: Firefighter ll / NFPA 1010 - Advanced Technician Firefighter
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
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 l / NFPA 1010 - Basic Operations Firefighter
- Firefighter ll / NFPA 1010 - Advanced Technician Firefighter
- Introduction to CPR/First Aid – non-certification
- Resiliency Awareness
- Opioid Awareness (online)
- Courage to Be Safe (online)
- Fire Service Vehicle Operator (online) – 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 (online)
- ICS 100/200/700 (online)
The courses listed above are included within the 7-week Academy program duration. Students should 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. This course is offered the week following the completion of the 7-week Academy program.
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.
A member of the IFSI Class Support Team will work directly with Academy students and their sponsoring departments to facilitate enrollment in the additional certification courses noted above. Students do not need to register for the individual classes as they will be completed concurrently with the 7-week Academy course.
For more information about Basic Operations and Advanced Technician Firefighter Academy, please contact Joe Jay.
Basic Operations and Advanced Technician Firefighter Blended
The Basic Operations and Advanced Technician Firefighter Blended (BOF) program balances instructor-supported online training with in-person weekend course activities. In-person, practical class activities are completed at remote training sites located throughout Illinois. The program incorporates practical training activities with a comprehensive academic curriculum designed to prepare entry-level firefighters for the demands of the profession.
Course Duration: 20 Weeks, includes ten hands-on training weekends (Saturday/Sunday) (260 Hours)
Prerequisites: None
Delivery Method: Online Lectures, Online Quizzes and Tests, In Person and Online Demonstrations, In Person Practical Skill Development Rotations, In Person Live Fire Rotations
The Basic Operations and Advanced Technician Firefighter Blended program includes the following courses required for state and national certification:
- Firefighter l / NFPA 1010 - Basic Operations Firefighter Blended
- Firefighter ll / NFPA 1010 - Advanced Technician Firefighter Blended
- Introduction to CPR/First Aid – non-certification
- Resiliency Awareness (online)
- Opioid Awareness (online)
- Courage to Be Safe (online)
- Fire Service Vehicle Operator (online) – 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 (online)
- ICS 100/200/700 (online)
- Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations – 2 weekends, 4 10-hour days
The courses listed above are included within the 20-week BOF program duration. Students should not register independently for each course. Enrollment in the Basic Operations and Advanced Technician Firefighter Blended course automatically enrolls students in the complete curriculum package.
A member of the IFSI Class Support Team will work directly with BOF students and their sponsoring departments to facilitate enrollment in all courses noted above. Students do not need to register for the individual classes as they will be completed concurrently within the Blended course.
For more information about Basic Operations and Advanced Technician Firefighter Blended, please contact Bryn O'Neil.