The Advanced Fire Officer course is designed to provide the Fire Officer, at the supervisory/managerial level, who oversees multiple fire companies or stations, with information and skills required for success. The Advanced Fire Officer course is compliant with NFPA 1021 - Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications 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 satisfies the course completion component for Office of the State Fire Marshal Certification as Advanced Fire Officer.
This program is delivered via a blended learning concept utilizing traditional classroom and on-line teaching elements. Each Phase must be taken consecutively and attendance is mandatory.
This five-day course provides students with a solid foundation of the activities; processes; leadership elements; and the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) necessary to function within the framework of a Type 3 All-Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT) deployed to an incident or planned event. The course is considered fast-paced, highly interactive, and challenging as the students, formed into the Command and General Staff positions on a Type 3 AHIMT, navigate through multiple activities and rapidly expanding incident scenarios. The course includes a comprehensive review of the roles and responsibilities of each of the Incident Command System (ICS) Command and General Staff positions, their roles as leaders of their sections or functional areas, leadership and teambuilding, and decision-making under stress.
This course will assist individual responders to perform as viable team members by:
Learning the basic foundational knowledge, skills and, abilities (KSAs)
necessary to perform in an ICS position on a Type 3 AHIMT. Emphasizing the nature and purpose of a Type 3 AHIMT so that others in the community and emergency services are more willing and able to assist or participate on their local Type 3 AHIMT.
Demonstrating the critical role that leadership and teamwork skills play in the success of a Type 3 AHIMT.
Providing a basic framework for building and maintaining critical
interpersonal communications and for working together as a team member of a Type 3 AHIMT.
Operationalizing the components of the National Incident Management
System (NIMS) and National Response Framework (NRF) for use in the field.
Offering practical experience of on-scene operations through extensive
exercises and simulations that provide students with multiple opportunities to perform as members of a Type 3 AHIMT during simulated incidents.
This course introduces students to new technologies not encountered in the past that can impact rescue efforts. Topics covered include hybrid or electric driven vehicles, alternative fuel systems, dangerous drive train components, hazardous mechanical and hydraulic systems, plus more. Rescue challenges associated with air bags and their deployment and detonation systems, pre-tension systems and other passive restraint devices throughout the passenger compartment are also discussed. Methods of construction, vehicle body components and their materials of construction offer challenges not found at accident scenes in the past. The course is a recommended follow-up class to the Basic Auto Extrication course.
NOTE:
The Chief Fire Officer Blended course is the highest level of Chief Fire Officer Certification Training in the State of Illinois. This course replaces Fire Officer III and meets all the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 1021, Fire Officer III and IV (2020).
The Chief Fire Officer Blended course is for Fire Officers who are working at or wish to work at the level of a Chief Fire Officer. Students who have yet to achieve the rank of Chief Fire Officer will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and overcome limitations to succeed in this course's learning components. Fire Officers attending this 13 Module course must be willing to think beyond their present position and manage their time to successfully complete the course. This course satisfies the course completion component for the Office of the State Fire Marshal Certification as a Chief Fire Officer.
For additional information, contact IFSI Chief Fire Officer Program Manager Tom Moran at morant@illinois.edu.
Multiple story, non-fireproof “taxpayers,” strip malls, cellars, warehouse areas and cocklofts - all pose additional risks to firefighters. Topics in the class include building construction features and collapse potential, as well as nozzles and flows for engine operations. The dangers of fires in cocklofts, cellars, and void spaces from years of remodeling are stressed. The class also covers truck company operations work with forcible entry, ventilation, and roof operations with multiple loads not designed for the original architecture. Thermal Imaging Camera, rope assisted large area searches, and team search of open retail outlets are dealt with. Concerns dealing with sprinkler systems, standpipes, and other suppression operations including the operation of aerial and outside master streams are illustrated. NOTE: Protective Clothing Required -- Participants must furnish approved helmet, turn out gear, eye protection, gloves, SCBA and boots for this class. This course is delivered at local fire departments if a structure or adequate practical training site is available.
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 Pro Board as NFPA 1006 2021 Edition Operations Chapter 7.2.
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 a Technician-level, Permit-required confined space rescue. The Confined Space Rescue Technician course has been designed in accordance with NFPA Standards. The class covers the federal and state regulations; use of specialized equipment for atmospheric monitoring, ventilation, and isolation; supplied air 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 partial-body patient immobilization, and the construction and operation of retrieval systems. This course includes simulated rescue evolutions requiring a mixture of disciplines, challenging the responder to deal with performing a rescue in a contaminated atmosphere.
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. Students practice efficient hose loads and finishes for securing a water supply, whether rural or urban. Advancing lines through a variety of objectives including stairways, ladders, ground level and basement deployment, these are skills vital to the engine company. Students pull and deploy charged and uncharged hose lines in a variety of situations, both interior and exterior. Proper hose and nozzle selection for the size and type of fire are discussed. The engine company responsibilities with regard to rescue and other tactical priorities are presented and practiced.
This is a 28 hour course in residence, over 3 days, with a 4 hour online component to be completed prior to the student’s arrival at IFSI. Students need to bring NFPA compliant PPE and NFPA compliant SCBA, preferred two SCBA bottles.
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.
Fire Inspector I is the first required course of the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Basic Fire Prevention Officer certification program. Fire Inspector I is a blended online (8-hour) and classroom (40-hour) educational delivery designed to prepare an individual to conduct foundational fire and life safety inspections. The class is structured for those individuals who are pursuing a fire prevention related career or who want to establish a quality understanding of fire inspection related issues.
Fire Inspector II is a blended online (8-hour) and classroom (40-hour) educational delivery designed to prepare an individual to conduct advanced level fire and life safety inspections. The class is focused on those who are pursuing a fire prevention related career or who want to establish an advanced understanding of fire inspection related issues. Topics in the course include in-depth instruction into: Inspection Procedures, Fire Hazard Recognition, Installed Systems, Means of Egress, Plan Review and Emergency Planning and Preparedness. Individuals with or without fire service background will benefit from the course.
This course provides to those who are or will be operating as a member of a fire department, law enforcement agency, EMS agency, emergency management agency, or other first responder agency, the basic skills needed to evaluate and work defensively at an incident involving the release of hazardous materials. The objectives of the course are to teach participants: basic hazards and risk-assessment techniques for Hazmat and CBRNE environments; selecting and using proper personal protective equipment provided to the first responder at the Operations level; performing basic control, containment and/or confinement operations within the capabilities of the resources and personal protective equipment available; an understanding of the types of CBRNE and WMD events that may be presented to the first responder; and an understanding of the relevant standard operating guidelines and termination procedures. The course meets the requirements of NFPA 470, Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Standard for Responders, 2022 Edition Chapters 7, 9.2, and 9.6.
The goal of this 16-hour course is to prepare local responders to operate as a local member of a regional team within the NIMS at a CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, or Explosive) event requiring statewide response that has resulted in the exposure to a hazardous material. During this course the students will demonstrate the individual skills necessary to direct and coordinate all aspects of a hazardous materials incident; implement the incident management system; simulate an activation of the emergency response plan, state and federal regional response plans; show knowledge and understanding of the importance of decontamination procedures; demonstrate an understanding of hazards associated with employees working in chemical protective clothing; analyze a hazardous materials incident, set objectives, identify potential action plans, evaluate the planned response, documentation, and complete the final termination requirements.
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.
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.
The Instructor I course is designed to give the student the knowledge and ability to teach from prepared materials which are predominantly skills oriented. Areas covered include issues relating to today’s Emergency Services Instructor, the learning process, methods of instruction, using lesson plans, communication skills, safety in training, technology in training, and evaluating the learning process.
The Instructor II course is designed to emphasize teaching formalized lessons from materials prepared by the instructor, including relating information from one lesson or class to the next. Areas covered include instructional development, evaluation and testing, program management and training resources.
If you are a Chief Officer who has the courage to embrace the challenge of personal and professional development at a whole new level, the Leadership Development and Decision Making (LDDM) Program is for you. The LDDM Program provides a one of a kind training experience. LDDM instructors introduce each topic with foundation material and then through a Socratic teaching style immerse the students in the topic through highly interactive small group discussions, ethical and moral discussion groups/decision games, tactical decision games, sand table exercises/discussions, and practical application exercises. Through the Socratic teaching style the instructor facilitates interaction and challenges each of the students to reach outside of their comfort zone through discovery learning, rather than the classic lecture and direction format.
The LDDM Program is designed to be a “cradle-to-grave” fire service leadership development/decision-making training and education continuum that has consistent themes, priorities, and lines of education in order to institutionalize the highest-quality leadership in the fire service. Training is provided for three standard fire service levels; firefighter, fire officer and chief officer. Each level within the LDDM Program is provided relevant opportunities for development, which are specific to their rank across seven common Lines of Education (LOE)
Lines of Education:
1) Leadership and followership
2) History and traditions
3) Communications
4) Morals and ethics
5) Professional development/tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs)
6) Decision-making and thinking critically
7) Command climate and culture
If you are willing to participate in a challenging training and development program the Leadership Development and Decision Making Program is for you.
If you are a Fire Officer (Lieutenant or Captain) who has the courage to embrace the challenge of personal and professional development at a whole new level, the Leadership Development and Decision Making (LDDM) Program is for you. The LDDM Program provides a one of a kind training experience. LDDM instructors introduce each topic with foundation material and then through a Socratic teaching style immerse the students in the topic through highly interactive small group discussions, ethical and moral discussion groups/decision games, tactical decision games, sand table exercises/discussions, and practical application exercises. Through the Socratic teaching style the instructor facilitates interaction and challenges each of the students to reach outside of their comfort zone through discovery learning, rather than the classic lecture and direction format.
The LDDM Program is designed to be a “cradle-to-grave” fire service leadership development/decision-making training and education continuum that has consistent themes, priorities, and lines of education in order to institutionalize the highest-quality leadership in the fire service. Training is provided for three standard fire service levels; firefighter, fire officer and chief officer. Each level within the LDDM Program is provided relevant opportunities for development, which are specific to their rank across seven common Lines of Education (LOE)
Lines of Education:
1) Leadership and followership
2) History and traditions
3) Communications
4) Morals and ethics
5) Professional development/tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs)
6) Decision-making and thinking critically
7) Command climate and culture
If you are willing to participate in a challenging training and development program the Leadership Development and Decision Making Program is for you.
If you are a Firefighter who has the courage to embrace the challenge of personal and professional development at a whole new level, the Leadership Development and Decision Making (LDDM) Program is for you. The LDDM Program provides a one of a kind training experience. LDDM instructors introduce each topic with foundation material and then through a Socratic teaching style immerse the students in the topic through highly interactive small group discussions, ethical and moral discussion groups/decision games, tactical decision games, sand table exercises/discussions, and practical application exercises. Through the Socratic teaching style the instructor facilitates interaction and challenges each of the students to reach outside of their comfort zone through discovery learning, rather than the classic lecture and direction format.
The LDDM Program is designed to be a “cradle-to-grave” fire service leadership development/decision-making training and education continuum that has consistent themes, priorities, and lines of education in order to institutionalize the highest-quality leadership in the fire service. Training is provided for three standard fire service levels; firefighter, fire officer and chief officer. Each level within the LDDM Program is provided relevant opportunities for development, which are specific to their rank across seven common Lines of Education (LOE).
Lines of Education:
1) Leadership and followership
2) History and traditions
3) Communications
4) Morals and ethics
5) Professional development/tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs)
6) Decision-making and thinking critically
7) Command climate and culture
If you are willing to participate in a challenging training and development program the Leadership Development and Decision Making Program is for you.
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.
This four hour course will provide first responders in any stage of their career with the necessary tools to remain resilient to the stressors that come with the job as well as stress from off the job. Focusing on cutting-edge science, students will see how stress can damage the brain, and also how the brain can recover from this damage. Students will also increase their understanding of how stress and mental health impact not just the brain, but the entire body. Behaviors and mindsets will be presented that will help students to care for themselves as well as support their families at home and at work.
Resiliency and Mental Health are key components to overall wellness for first responders. This course seeks to remove the stigma surrounding the discussion of mental health, trauma, and suicide. Facilitated group discussions will create open dialogues where students can share what has worked well for them and address areas where improvements could be made.
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 scope of this course is to prepare local responders to operate as a local member of a regional team within the NIMS at a CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, or Explosive) WMD Event requiring statewide response that has resulted in the need for a high-angle rescue. This course provides those 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, anchor systems, and patient packaging. Special consideration will be given to the policies of standard-making agencies such as OSHA, ANSI, NFPA, and others. This course awards Pro Board certification.
Smoke Divers is a 24-hour class where the student will walk away with increased confidence and knowledge of their SCBA. Firefighters will benefit from the course as they will become more aware of how the SCBA can perform and function through various drills that require donning, doffing, shifting, and dumping. Smoke and live fire scenarios challenge the student further by integrating the fireground tasks of forcible entry, rescue, search, and RIT basics. All of these basic to advanced skills build upon the student's abilities with their SCBA in order to give them the tools necessary for air management and self-rescue if the need arises.
This 3 day program is designed for firefighters seeking to improve their knowledge of truck company operations regardless if their department has an aerial apparatus. This course is ideal for firefighters assigned to a truck company.
Firefighters will learn the fundamental concepts of truck company operations, apparatus positioning, forcible entry, ground laddering considerations, VES, search strategies and tactics, victim removal procedures, ventilation, and overhaul operations. This course is intended for experienced firefighters with a minimum of three (3) years with a fire department.
This two-day course is based on the requirements of NFPA Standard 1035 pertaining to the Youth Firesetting Intervention Specialist Level I. This course empowers students with a broad understanding of the knowledge, skills, and abilities the Youth Firesetting Intervention Specialist I 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. Youth firesetting educational interventions. This course is for the practitioner who provides services at the program delivery level.