This Cornerstone version introduces students to the basic engine company operations. The class offers firefighters and Officers an opportunity to either sharpen their current skills, or learn new and efficient skills for the all-important task of getting water on the fire. This course includes a classroom component and can be customized to include numerous drills. These can include hose loads, establishing water supply advancing lines through a variety of objectives including stairways, ground level and basement deployment if available are skills vital to the engine company. The course also covers engine company responsibilities with regard to rescue and other tactical priorities are presented and practiced.
The Company Fire Officer course is designed to provide the Fire Officer, who is in charge of a single fire company or station, with information and skills required for success. The Company Fire Officer course is compliant with NFPA 1021 - Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications (2020 ed.) as it provides training and education in the requisite areas of Human Resource Management, Community and Government Relations, Administration, Inspections and Investigations, Emergency Service Delivery, along with Health and Safety. This course meets the Company Fire Officer certification requirements of the Office of the State Fire Marshal in Illinois.
The scope of this course is to prepare local responders to operate as a local member of a regional team within the NIMS that has resulted in the need for an Operations-level, Permit-required confined space rescue. The Confined Space Rescue Awareness and Operations course has been designed in accordance with NFPA Standards. The class covers the federal and state regulations; the use of specialized equipment for atmospheric monitoring, ventilation, and isolation; SCBA use inside a confined space; and employment of rescuer-constructed retrieval systems. Special emphasis will be given to rescuer safety, scene management, patient care and movement utilizing full-body patient immobilization, and the construction and operation of retrieval systems. Simulated rescue evolutions involving various rescue problems will be conducted.
Students who successfully complete the course will qualify for National Certification through both Pro Board and IFSAC, NFPA 1006, 2021 Edition Operations Chapter 7.2.
This course is a provocative and moving presentation by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, through the Everyone Goes Home® Program, that is designed to change the culture of accepting the loss of firefighters as a normal occurrence.
Building on the untold story of line of duty death survivors, it reveals how family members must live with the consequences of a firefighter death. This presentation provides a focus on the need for firefighters and officers to change fundamental attitudes and behaviors in order to prevent line of duty deaths. The central theme promotes the courage to do the right thing in order to protect yourself and other firefighters and ensure that “Everyone Goes Home” at the end of the day.
Firefighters must have the courage to face a multitude of risks in order to save lives and protect their communities. Their courage allows them to willingly risk their own lives so that others can be saved. A different type of courage is required to stay safe in potentially dangerous situations, avoiding needless risks and tragic
consequences.
The program promotes the courage to do the right thing in order to protect firefighters from illness, injury or Line of Duty Death So that Everyone Goes Home®. The presentation examines Line of Duty Deaths both at the state and national level.
In addition, it conveys the untold story of LODD survivors in an attempt to expose the participants to a significant emotional event to promote change and provide them the insight and tools to embark upon change.
The course will provide the participant with a fundamental understanding of elevator equipment, how elevators operate during normal function, and review safety and failure modes for such equipment. This will include a review of rescue considerations and preparing for the advanced rescue if needed.
Upon successful completion of this class, the student will have an increased understanding of the function of an elevator and techniques to be considered as part of the rescue operation.
This 40-hour course is designed for firefighters who are assigned to or may be assigned to operate fire department apparatus in the normal course of their duties. This course is designed to develop firefighters understanding of mechanical principles of fire pumps and their controls, principles of water and water distribution systems, intake and discharge hydraulics, fire stream production, relay pumping operations, care and maintenance of pumper apparatus, and troubleshooting. Students will practice producing effective fire streams from hydrants, relay operations, and static water sources. Students will also practice determining pump discharge pressures for hydraulic situations that range from single line problems to multiple-line relay operations to provide a solid understanding of fire ground hydraulics and practical solutions to apply these concepts to their department.
This class focuses on how to develop, implement, and evaluate fire ground communications. During this session new and seasoned firefighters will have the opportunity to practice tactical and strategic size up procedures assuring the proper communication benchmarks are used.
This class will provide the student with a basic knowledge of search and rescue tactics and mindsets. This class is designed for the firefighter with at least one year of experience. In this class the student learns basic firefighter skills and hones these skills during realistic exercises. Upon successful completion of this class, the student will walk away with an increased level of basic firefighter competencies.
This 8-hour course is designed for Firefighters or Engineers who are assigned, or may be assigned, to operate fire department apparatus during the normal course of their duties. Students will learn about their role as an emergency vehicle driver, proper care and maintenance of fire apparatus, vehicle characteristics, safe driving practices, emergency response driving, and scene positioning. This course, when combined with an AHJ-provided driving portion, allows the student to apply for Illinois OSFM certification. IFSI does not offer the driving portion of this course.
This 1:16 hour class is designed for the firefighter with any level of experience being that it is only a basic level course covering basic Forcible Entry techniques. In this class the student will learn basic skills concerning many types of: force entry, tools needed, types of tools used, how to use these tools and instructor tips and tricks during classroom and hands on tool exercises. Upon successful completion of this class, the student should walk away with an increased level of basic firefighter competencies on this important subject.
The goal of this 80-hour course is to prepare responders to operate as a local member of a regional hazardous materials response team within the National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) at a CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, or Explosive) event requiring a statewide response. The course provides the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities to operate offensively or defensively at an incident involving the release of hazardous materials. The objectives of the course are to teach participants: to classify, identify, and verify known and unknown material by using field survey instruments and equipment; to select and use the proper chemical protective equipment provided to the hazardous materials Technician; to understand hazard and risk assessment techniques for Hazmat and CBRNE environments; to be able to perform advanced control, containment, and/or confinement operations within the capabilities of the resources and personal protective equipment available; and to develop action plans within the parameters of the State plan for statewide response to WMD events.
This course provides training on and resources for overall incident management skills for personnel who require the intermediate application of the Incident Management System. This course will outline how the National Incident Management System Command & Coordination component supports the management of expanding incidents, as well as describe the incident management processes as prescribed by ICS.
The target audience for this course is individuals who may assume a supervisory role in expanding incidents. This includes Command and General Staff positions as well as Division/Group Supervisor and/or Unit Leader level positions that may be activated during an expanding incident that typically extends into multiple Operational Periods.
Building on the prerequisite courses, this course focuses on ICS for Command and General Staff in complex incidents. This advanced ICS 400 course focuses on senior personnel who are expected to perform in a management capacity in Area Command or Multiagency Coordination System, or as part of an Incident Management Team.
The target audience for this course includes experienced senior emergency management personnel who may perform in a management capacity for major or complex incidents. This group includes individuals who may serve as the Incident Commander, as a member of a Unified Command, or as members of the Command or General Staff, or Multiagency Coordination Group/Emergency Operations Center (EOC) management for incidents that may use an Area Command.
Customized courses take any of the subject areas and are tailored to meet the needs of the organization requesting the training.The class emphasizes a topic identified by the group. Each class is handled on a case-by-case basis, covering a topic essential for firefighters, pump operators, fire officers, or fire based first responders in fulfilling the mission of the fire service in their area.
This course is designed to provide the knowledge and skills for successful certification in Instructor III. The Instructor III course satisfies the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1041, Chapter 6. It provides the tools necessary to obtain certification through the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications (Pro) Board.
This course is designed around classroom lectures and group interactive exercises to improve your abilities to serve as a fire instructor. This includes Instructor III - specific responsibilities including the administration of AHJ policies and procedures for the management of instructional resources, staff, facilities, records, and reports. Skills taught include planning, developing, and implementing comprehensive programs and curricula. The successful candidate will be able to develop an evaluation plan; collect, analyze, and report data; and utilize data for program validation and student feedback.
Pipeline Emergencies – First Responder Awareness course provides those who are or will be responding to pipeline emergencies the basic skills necessary to determine the presence of pipelines and the release of various products being transported within. The objective of the course is to provide information for the student to conduct risk assessments, perform public safety actions, and make appropriate notifications to pipeline operators and response entities effectively and safely.
Pipeline Emergencies – Initial Incident Command
This course will provide Initial Incident Commanders with the knowledge and skills to operate safely and effectively at a pipeline emergency incident. Students will identify the pipelines that can be found within their jurisdiction, demonstrate strategic and tactical level decision making at pipeline incidents, describe the information needed to model the release, and describe key points to be included in initial public emergency notifications. At the conclusion of the course, students will be able to develop an initial incident action plan at a pipeline emergency incident.
This course is designed for firefighters, officers and non-commissioned fire department staff pursuing a certification as a Public Fire & Life Safety Educator. The course is designed to train and equip students in fire prevention and life safety education. Topics include: a history of fire prevention education, learning styles, methods for effective teaching, public relations, high-risk populations, professionalism, developing life safety curricula, and evaluation & assessment.
Students must meet the requirements as stated in NFPA 1035, Standard for Professional Qualifications, Standard on Fire and Life Safety Educator, 2015 Edition, and the requirements of the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal.
One hundred percent of the 40 class contact hours and a passing score of 70% on the end of course exam are required for successful course completion. In addition to successful course completion, the student will also receive national certification to the level of Fire and Life Safety Educator I NFPA 1035 2015 Edition Chapter 4.
Any missed class time must be made up before a student can challenge the examination. Class hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Unless otherwise scheduled). Students must advise the instructor if they leave for emergency reasons.
The scope of this course is to prepare responders to operate as a member of a team within NIMS at an event requiring the need for low- or high-angle rescue. This course provides personnel with the basic knowledge and skills needed to perform rescues using rope systems. The class will cover the use of rope, rope equipment, hardware, construction of mechanical advantage systems, belay and safety systems, twin-tension lowering systems, anchor systems, patient packaging and care, transport, self-rescue, and rescue litter handling techniques. In addition, course topics include equipment selection, maintenance, and record-keeping.
This course was adapted from the NFPA 1006 standards with information also derived from 1500, 1670, 1858, 1983, and 2500. This course awards Pro Board and Illinois OSFM certification.
The Rope Rescue Technician course is an advanced, performance-based program that exceeds the job performance requirements of NFPA 1006: Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications (Technician Level). It builds upon the Rope Rescue Operations course and prepares students to safely and effectively manage and perform complex rope-based rescue incidents.
Participants engage in extensive hands-on training scenarios that challenge their ability to assess, plan, and execute technical rescues. Instruction emphasizes advanced rigging techniques, system analysis, high-directional and high-line operations, mechanical advantage systems, and vertical litter movement. Students will apply risk-management principles, use redundancy and safety factors in system design, and perform victim access, packaging, and movement through realistic and dynamic scenarios.
Throughout the course, students will work as part of a coordinated rope rescue team to demonstrate technical proficiency, leadership, and communication under operational conditions. The training reinforces IFSI’s core values of safety, teamwork, and operational excellence while ensuring compliance with NFPA 1006 JPRs.
This course awards Pro Board certification.
Students successfully completing this course will be eligible for ProBoard and IFSAC certification under NFPA 2400 Chapter 5, Professional Qualifications for sUAS Public Safety Personnel, which identifies the job performance requirements for public safety Remote Pilots and Visual Observers. Students will review Crew Resource Management, the roles of the Visual Observer, the Person Manipulating the Controls, and the Remote Pilot in Command. Students will learn the sUAS team’s role and function within the Incident Command System (ICS). Students will learn sUAS flight mission planning and prepare a mission plan for a given public safety scenario in a real-world setting. Students will prepare for and engage in practical flight operations, developing mission-critical neuromotor and communication skills.
NFPA 2400, Standard for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Used for Public Safety Operations, 2019 edition details the minimum requirements for the safe operation, deployment, and implementation of sUAS including organization program criteria and considerations, professional qualifications for safety personnel, and elements of a maintenance program. It was created with support from the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
NFPA 2400 is the primary reference for this course. Prerequisite: Registrants must be certificated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a Remote Pilot with sUAS rating under 14 CFR Part 107. Registrants must be up-to-date with FAA recurrent knowledge requirements, and if certificated prior to March 2021, must have completed one of FAA’s new recurrent knowledge courses (ALC-515 or ALC-677, as applicable).
Students (or each team of up to three students) will need to bring their own small unmanned aircraft system in order to participate in this training. We recommend starting out with a basic and relatively small/inexpensive sUAS while first learning to fly.
If you are not a member of a Fire Department and wish to register for this course, you will need to contact IFSI class support at 217-333-3800 or email fsi@illinois.edu
The State of Illinois Traffic Incident Management course is designed for First Responders who may be called to operate at traffic incidents. This course will teach First Responders how to operate in a safe and coordinated manner with other responder agencies to quickly clear traffic incidents from the roadway. Students will learn the need for proper Traffic Incident Management, how to establish a Traffic Incident Management Area, safe positioning of response vehicles, scene safety, and how to demobilize a Traffic Incident Management Area.
This online Traffic Incident Management training course has been approved by the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal to meet the Traffic Incident Management training requirement in JCAR rule 141.301 for Illinois OSFM Basic Operations Firefighter certification.
This two-day course is based on the requirements of NFPA Standard 1030 pertaining to the Youth Firesetting Prevention and Intervention Specialist. This course empowers students with a broad understanding of the knowledge, skills, and abilities the Youth Firesetting Intervention Specialist should have for a dynamic intervention program. Topics include: The extent of the youth firesetting problem and justification for local youth firesetting prevention and intervention programs, examination of the typologies of firesetting and the motivation behind firesetting behaviors, identification, intake, screening, disposition, and follow-up, and youth firesetting educational interventions. This course is for the practitioner who provides services at the program delivery level.
This course is designed for firefighters who are assigned to or may be assigned to operate fire department pumper apparatus. Students will engage in an interactive instructional presentation that discusses basic fire pump operations and troubleshooting, then operate the pump panel simulators in pumping exercises. Students will practice pumping multiple hose lines and transitioning water supplies to support interactive fireground operations. Students will also discuss determining the proper discharge pressures for various hose layouts. While students are waiting to operate the pump panel simulators, they can view self-guided lessons including water supply, drafting, cavitation, nozzles, relay pumping, and pressure calculations.