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 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 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.
Upon completion of the online course, students will need to register for the final examination. Steps to sign up for examinations are in the link below:
https://www.fsi.illinois.edu/documents/policies/curriculum/Regional%20Testing.pdf
This 24-hour course is designed for Airport Fire Fighter personnel who are responsible for driving and operating ARFF apparatus. Students will be introduced to the characteristics and operational capabilities of ARFF apparatus, how to safely drive and operate ARFF apparatus, the inspection and maintenance of ARFF apparatus, and the proper positioning of ARFF apparatus for the effective application of extinguishing agents and rescue operations. Students will be required to operate ARFF apparatus during a final practical.
Below are the classes you must have completed before you can take this class:
You MUST submit a copy of the above certifications to the program assistant by email <fsi@illinois.edu>, or by fax (217-244-6790) to complete your enrollment in this course.
This 24-hour class is designed to provide Firefighters with a basic understanding of the design, maintenance, operation, and deployment of aerial apparatus. Students will be introduced to the various types of aerial apparatus and aerial devices that are used in the fire service, the inspection and maintenance of aerial apparatus, safe procedures for stabilization, aerial device operation, and the tactical deployment of aerial devices. Students will participate in drills that require positioning, stabilizing, and operating aerial apparatus and aerial devices. Students will be required to operate aerial apparatus during a final practical.
Below are the classes you must have completed before you can take this class:
This 40-hour class is designed for firefighters with 1-3 years of experience who are assigned to, or may be assigned to, aircraft rescue and firefighting duties at or near an airport. In this class the student will learn basic aircraft rescue and firefighter skills and hone these skills during realistic live fire exercises. Students will participate in drills that will simulate response, fire extinguishment and rescue duties. This course is designed to develop a firefighters understanding of airfield layout, aircraft construction, safety hazards, communications, rescue, extinguishing agents, ARFF apparatus, fire suppression, airport planning, and strategies and tactics for incidents involving aircraft. Upon successful completion of this class, the student will walk away with basic airport firefighter competencies.
This course is designed to provide Firefighters with a basic understanding of the design, operation, and deployment of aerial apparatus. Students will be introduced to the various types of aerial apparatus and aerial devices that are used in the fire service, safe procedures for stabilization, aerial device operation, and the tactical deployment of aerial devices. Students will participate in drills to reinforce the concepts discussed in the classroom.
Because departments have significantly different equipment, maintenance practices, and training needs, the lead instructor shall use their discretion to determine the appropriate course materials and drills for the class delivery based on the equipment available and the department needs.
The Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) Firefighter Basic Online program is delivered in the modular form as prescribed by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and meets the cognitive requirements for Firefighter Basic certification.
The practical requirements are the responsibility of the student, under the direction of their own fire department. A student practical package will be provided to guide and document student performance.
The Online Firefighter Basic Course consists of 23 subject areas (plus Haz Mat Awareness & Tech Rescue Awareness) delivered from the IFSI Online Classroom. The online classroom provides an overview of each subject, defines learning objectives, outline reading assignments, audio lectures, chat sessions, student assignments, and electronic quizzes. Students should be familiar with the use of the computer and have access to the Internet to complete this course.
The final exam will be administered through the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM).
Module subjects are as follows:
Module A: Orientation/Organization - Safety - Communications - Building Construction - Fire Behavior-SCBA - Portable Extinguishers - Ropes and Knots
Module B: Fire Ground Search & Rescue - Fire Hose/Appliances - Firefighter Survival - Ventilation - Forcible Entry - Water Supply Ladders - Nozzles and Streams - Apparatus Familiarization - Fire Control/Suppression - Wildland Firefighting
Module C: Loss Control - Preserving Evidence - Fire Detection/Alarms - Fire Prevention/Public Education - Hazardous Materials Awareness – Technical Rescue Awareness.
Modules are intended to be taken in order. An exception may be given by the Firefighting Program Director or Distance Learning Program Director.
***Students will need IFSTA Essentials of Firefighting 7th Edition
The Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) Firefighter Basic Online program is delivered in the modular form as prescribed by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and meets the cognitive requirements for Firefighter Basic certification.
The practical requirements are the responsibility of the student, under the direction of their own fire department. A student practical package will be provided to guide and document student performance.
The Online Firefighter Basic Course consists of 23 subject areas (plus Haz Mat Awareness & Tech Rescue Awareness) delivered from the IFSI Online Classroom. The online classroom provides an overview of each subject, defines learning objectives, outline reading assignments, audio lectures, chat sessions, student assignments, and electronic quizzes. Students should be familiar with the use of the computer and have access to the Internet to complete this course.
The final exam will be administered through the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM).
Module subjects are as follows:
Module A: Orientation/Organization - Safety - Communications - Building Construction - Fire Behavior-SCBA - Portable Extinguishers - Ropes and Knots
Module B: Fire Ground Search & Rescue - Fire Hose/Appliances - Firefighter Survival - Ventilation - Forcible Entry - Water Supply Ladders - Nozzles and Streams - Apparatus Familiarization - Fire Control/Suppression - Wildland Firefighting
Module C: Loss Control - Preserving Evidence - Fire Detection/Alarms - Fire Prevention/Public Education - Hazardous Materials Awareness – Technical Rescue Awareness.
Modules are intended to be taken in order. An exception may be given by the Firefighting Program Director or Distance Learning Program Director.
***Students will need IFSTA Essentials of Firefighting 7th Edition
The Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) Firefighter Basic Online program is delivered in the modular form as prescribed by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and meets the cognitive requirements for Firefighter Basic certification.
The practical requirements are the responsibility of the student, under the direction of their own fire department. A student practical package will be provided to guide and document student performance.
The Online Firefighter Basic Course consists of 23 subject areas (plus Haz Mat Awareness & Tech Rescue Awareness) delivered from the IFSI Online Classroom. The online classroom provides an overview of each subject, defines learning objectives, outline reading assignments, audio lectures, chat sessions, student assignments, and electronic quizzes. Students should be familiar with the use of the computer and have access to the Internet to complete this course.
The final exam will be administered through the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM).
Module subjects are as follows:
Module A: Orientation/Organization - Safety - Communications - Building Construction - Fire Behavior-SCBA - Portable Extinguishers - Ropes and Knots
Module B: Fire Ground Search & Rescue - Fire Hose/Appliances - Firefighter Survival - Ventilation - Forcible Entry - Water Supply Ladders - Nozzles and Streams - Apparatus Familiarization - Fire Control/Suppression - Wildland Firefighting
Module C: Loss Control - Preserving Evidence - Fire Detection/Alarms - Fire Prevention/Public Education - Hazardous Materials Awareness – Technical Rescue Awareness.
Modules are intended to be taken in order. An exception may be given by the Firefighting Program Director or Distance Learning Program Director.
***Students will need IFSTA Essentials of Firefighting 7th Edition
This class provides the firefighter with a basic understanding of the common types of fire fighting foams (for Class A, Class B, & Polar Solvent fuels), the apparatus and equipment needed to deliver them, and the procedures for setting up and using them effectively. The class also addresses the logistics of large-scale foam operations. Both transportation and storage tank incidents, with and without fire, will be discussed. Pre-planning, emergency operations, and post-incident cleaning and other activities will be discussed. Hands-on practice setting up and operating foam lines is included. Adequate foam for the class size and any environmental impact considerations are the sole responsibility of the host department. 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
This 16-hour course is designed for Firefighters who will be expected to operate mobile water supply apparatus. Students will learn the basics of mobile water supply operations, fill site establishment, dump site establishment, and the operation of mobile water supply apparatus. Students will be required to operate mobile water supply apparatus in a mobile water supply operation.
Below are the classes you must have completed before you can take this class:
To receive National Certification, you must provide copies of completion of the following prerequisites:
TWO DAY UNIQUE AND CHALLENGING PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY.
This annual event is designed for US Armed Forces Veterans who have also served or are serving as a member of the fire service.
The Veterans in the Fire Service Day will offer a day of hands-on, live fire training activities. Attendees will engage with an elite group of IFSI instructors who will introduce essential firefighting skills while participating in rigorous training rotations.
IFSI encourages attendees to network and share professional and personal experiences. The program allows ample time for discussing the parallels of the fire service and the US Armed Forces throughout the special event.
Loaner firefighting personal protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) will be available to students. Advance reservations for gear are preferred.
Cost: No charge to attend.
What is included:
Training and elite live fire instruction.
Welcome Reception and Dinner on Saturday
Breakfast and Lunch on Sunday
Free hotel accommodations. See details and requirements below.
• Funded hotel accommodations for attendees for Saturday evening
• IFSI will pay for hotel room and hotel room taxes only.
• Attendees may reserve their room after registering for the event.
• One person per room is preferred.
• Rooms must be booked in the attendee’s name and a personal credit card is required to cover incidental expenses.
• Must mention Veterans in the Fire Service Event – IFSI to receive the accommodation.
• Hotel accommodations at the Best Western/Savoy (217-356-1824) only.
TWO DAY UNIQUE AND CHALLENGING PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY.
This annual event is designed for US Armed Forces Veterans who have also served, are serving, or may be interested in serving as a member of the fire service.
The Veterans in the Fire Service Day will offer two training schedules for attendees: future firefighters and current firefighters. All Veterans (whether currently in the fire service or looking into a future with the fire service) will benefit from a day of hands-on, live fire training activities. Attendees will engage with an elite group of IFSI instructors who will introduce essential firefighting skills while participating in rigorous training rotations.
IFSI encourages attendees to network and share professional and personal experiences. The program allows ample time for discussing the parallels of the fire service and the US Armed Forces throughout the special event.
Loaner firefighting personal protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) will be available to students. Advance reservations for gear are preferred.
Cost: No charge to attend.
What is included:
Training and elite live fire instruction.
Welcome Reception and Dinner on Saturday
Breakfast and Lunch on Sunday
Free hotel accommodations. See details and requirements below.
• Funded hotel accommodations for attendees for Saturday evening
• IFSI will pay for hotel room and hotel room taxes only.
• Attendees may reserve their room after registering for the event.
• One person per room is preferred.
• Rooms must be booked in the attendee’s name and a personal credit card is required to cover incidental expenses.
• Must mention Veterans in the Fire Service Event – IFSI to receive the accommodation.
• Hotel accommodations at the Best Western/Savoy (217-356-1824) only.
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.
The Advanced Technician Firefighter/ NFPA Firefighter II course exceeds all requirements outlined by the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal and NFPA 1001. This course provides the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to operate under general supervision during Firefighting operations. This course focuses on an intense hands-on approach to advanced firefighting skills. Students will experience advanced lectures to promote critical thinking, practical skills evaluations to promote competency, and live fire scenarios to promote teamwork and coordinated fire attack.
The Basic Operations Firefighter course is designed to give new firefighters the practical and cognitive training needed to operate safely and effectively on the fire ground. This course exceeds the requirements outlined by the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal for Basic Operations Firefighter training. Upon successful completion, the student will meet Illinois OSFM, Pro Board, and IFSAC NFPA Firefighter I requirements for certification. IFSI Basic Operations Firefighter focuses on an intense classroom and hands–on approach to firefighting, which promotes both skill competency and an understanding of the fire ground. Students complete numerous evolutions, which encourage them to apply their skills to a variety of scenarios.
This course is designed for firefighters who are interested in operating the pumps on their fire department. This class uses locally-available apparatus to provide core competencies with pumps and their related controls. Instructors lead discussion on types of pumps, pump controls, establishing water supply from draft and hydrants, establishing relay pumping operations, troubleshooting common problems, and placing lines in service. Upon completion of this course, the student will have a better understanding of how pumping apparatus work.
The Basic Tactics & Strategy course is designed for the new firefighter who is responsible for learning about making decisions on the fire ground. Size up and a plan of action based upon conditions will be reviewed. Subject areas which will be covered are: initial action plans, safety, fire behavior, building construction, engine company and truck company operations, and
apparatus positioning.
This class provides an understanding of construction types from fire resistive materials such as brick, block, concrete and steel, to wood frame structures. These typical single family and multifamily residential or business occupancies may be balloon frame, “stick built” with full dimensional lumber, or engineered components. The structural members of floor and roof systems are discussed as they relate to their intended purpose and what they do under live and dead loads while under the stress of fire and suppression activities. Openings such as windows, doors, skylights and ventilation shafts are discussed as they relate to the firefighting, search and rescue profile.
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.
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.
Driver Readiness Interactive Vehicle Experience. This blended course is designed for students with limited or no experience operating emergency vehicles. Students will complete an online presentation covering the complexities of emergency responses, legal principles, roadway and intersection hazard management, and emergency vehicle defensive driving principles. The driving simulator will be used to practice techniques such as hazard management and defensive driving practices while responding to an emergency. Proper apparatus placement considerations will also be discussed upon arrival to the scene.
This 4-hour course is designed for firefighters who are interested in class A foam and compressed air foam systems (CAFS). This course will provide firefighters, pump operators and fire officers with basic knowledge of class A foam and compressed air foam operations. Topics will include class A foam, compressed air foam systems, fire attack utilizing foam, foam system operations, and foam system maintenance. Students will engage in hands-on use of CAFS handlines and CAFS pump operations utilizing IFSI’s CAFS trailer or local CAFS equipped fire apparatus. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will have a better understanding of class A and compressed air foam systems and their use for fire attack.
This course is designed for firefighters who have experience operating fire pumps, someone who has attended IFSI’s Basic Pumps course, or someone wants to review of fire service hydraulics. In this course the student will learn nozzle pressures for handlines and master stream devices, friction loss for hose and appliances, and the influence of elevation on fire service hydraulics. Students will be taught how to calculate the proper pump discharge pressures for typical fireground situations. As time allows, students will utilize local fire apparatus and equipment to practice the skills learned during the course. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will have a better understanding of fire service hydraulics.
This 4-hour course is designed for all firefighters who drive emergency vehicles. This course can be used as initial training for new emergency vehicle drivers to learn strategies to safely operate emergency vehicles in emergency and non-emergency situations or as refresher course for experienced emergency vehicle drivers. Students will learn safe driving practices, defensive driving principles, the responsibilities of an emergency vehicle driver, how to safely operate emergency vehicles during emergent responses, and the difficulties of driving tender apparatus. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have a better understanding of how to prevent crashes while driving emergency vehicles.
This 4-hour course is designed for all firefighters who drive emergency vehicles. This course can be used as initial training for new emergency vehicle drivers to learn strategies to safely operate emergency vehicles in emergency and non-emergency situations or as refresher course for experienced emergency vehicle drivers. Students will learn safe driving practices, defensive driving principles, the responsibilities of an emergency vehicle driver, how to safely operate emergency vehicles during emergent responses, and the difficulties of driving tender apparatus. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have a better understanding of how to prevent crashes while driving emergency vehicles.
Essentials I is the first installment in the Essentials Program. The Essentials Program is designed to introduce new and novice firefighters to essential skills in the fire service. Each level of the Essential Program, levels I, II, and III will introduce firefighters to skills that will build upon one another as participants progress through the program.
The Essentials Program is designed to meet the requirements of NFPA 1403 the Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions and parallels the Illinois Fire Service Institute’s Minimum Fire Fighter Training Guide. The scope of the Essential Program is to prepare personnel for supporting the station and exterior firefighting operations.
This Essentials I Course will immerse the firefighter in skills related to Orientation and Firefighter Safety, Personal Protective Equipment and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, Fire Department Apparatus, Hose and Fire Streams, Firefighting Tools and Equipment, Ground Ladders, Building Construction, and Fire Dynamics.
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
This one-day "Down and Dirty" Fire Service Youth training activity introduces youth to hands-on firefighting skills. Delivered with IFSI instructor supervision, the class focuses on the same basic firefighting skills that are provided in the IFSI Cornerstone Training program, including hose and appliances, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), Fire Behavior, Search and Rescue, Ladders, and using hand tools. The Explorers and Fire Cadets will be exposed to the value of teamwork, leadership, and followership.
This course is designed to be essential training for new or existing members of an Industrial Fire Brigade at a facility. The main focus of this course is firefighting performed inside or outside of an enclosed structure when the fire has not progressed beyond the incipient stage. This course is designed to meet the NFPA 1081 Standard for Industrial Fire Brigade Member Professional Qualifications (2018 Edition) Chapter 4.
This course is ProBoard accredited and if you would like certification you must provide proof by the end of the course that you are trained at the Hazmat Awareness Level or above.
This course is designed to be essential training for new or existing members of a Facility Fire Brigade. The first section of this course is firefighting performed inside or outside of an enclosed structure when the fire has not progressed beyond the incipient stage. The second section of this course then focuses on offensive firefighting performed outside of an enclosed structure when the fire has advanced beyond the incipient stage. This course is designed to meet the NFPA 1081 Standard for Facility Fire Brigade Member Professional Qualifications (2018 Edition) Chapters 4 and 5.
Completion of this course awards ProBoard certification to qualified students. If you would like certification, you must provide proof that you are trained at the Facility Fire Brigade - Incipient level or above and the Hazardous Materials Operations level or above.
This course is designed to be essential training for new or existing members of a Facility Fire Brigade. The first section of this course is firefighting performed inside or outside of an enclosed structure when the fire has not progressed beyond the incipient stage. The second section of this course then focuses on offensive firefighting performed outside and inside of an enclosed structure when the fire has advanced beyond the incipient stage. This course is designed to meet the NFPA 1081 Standard for Facility Fire Brigade Member Professional Qualifications (2018 Edition) Chapters 4, 5, and 6.
Completion of this course awards ProBoard certification to qualified students.
If you would like certification, you must provide proof that you are trained at the Hazardous Materials Operations level or above.
The F.A.S.T. course is designed for those firefighters seeking to advance their basic skills training or for those seeking additional live firefighting experience. The course will emphasize advancing proficiency in hose and ladder handling, forcible entry, SCBA, search and rescue, structural fire attack, ventilation, and stream operations. Training responses and acquired structures will be utilized to provide a challenging learning environment.
This class expands on the basic fire behavior materials learned during initial firefighting training. It focuses on the importance of deducing critical fire characteristics from the attributes of visible smoke. Students will learn how understanding smoke volume, velocity, density, and color can help predict hostile fire events, as well as tactics and strategies that are useful to prevent these events from occurring.
The Health and Safety Officer online class is designed to prepare the firefighter who will be assigned and authorized by the Fire Chief to perform the functions of Fire Department Health and Safety Officer (HSO) Program Manager, or who serves to assist the Program Manager.
Risk management is a vital component to any organization’s operation. The course will include steps of identification and analysis of exposure to hazards, selection of appropriate techniques to control exposures, implementation of chosen techniques, and the monitoring of results to ensure the health and safety of members.
Upon completion of the online course, students will need to register for the final examination. Steps to sign up for examinations are in the link below:
https://www.fsi.illinois.edu/documents/policies/curriculum/Regional%20Testing.pdf
The goal of this course is to prepare students whom will be designated by an incident commander (IC) as the incident safety officer (ISO). This course will teach students how to monitor the various types of incidents including Fire, EMS, Technical Rescue, and Hazardous Materials scenes, and report to the IC the status of conditions, hazards, and risks present. This course will also cover accident investigation and review procedures as well as how to develop and participate in a post-incident analysis.
Required for National Certification (ProBoard):
IFSI must have a copy of your NFPA 1021 Fire Officer I certification on file for you to receive a ProBoard certificate.
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 program is designed to teach students how to utilize different types of rope and knots commonly used in the fire service. The focus will be on the application of ropes and knots in firefighting functions.
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.
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 120-hour class is designed as the foundational level of education and training for fire and arson investigators. The program meets the Job Performance Requirements of NFPA 1033 “Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator.” The investigation program includes comprehensive courses covering multiple topics and requiring significant student participation, reading and homework activity. The course includes the following topics: Basic fire science, fire patterns, building systems, electricity and fire, fuel gas systems, fire related human behavior, legal considerations, safety, sources of information, planning the investigation, Documentation of the investigation, physical evidence, origin & cause determination, analyzing the incident for cause and responsibility, failure analysis and analytical tools, explosions and incendiary fires, fire and explosion deaths and injuries, appliances, motor vehicle fires, wild fire investigations, management of complex investigations and marine fire investigations. The textbook included with the course is “Fire Investigator: Principles and Practice.” Primary resources for the program are NFPA 921 “Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations” and “Kirks Fire Investigation.” The practical requirement for the class will involve outdoor simulated scene work. Firefighting gear is not required for the class, but old clothes, gloves and work boots are recommended for the practical activity. Students are encouraged to bring personal cameras for use in the practical activity. The textbook and NFPA 921 is provided with the program for students to keep and will be distributed the first day of class. These books are utilized for all three weeks and students should be sure to bring them to all course sessions. Students are encouraged to bring any reference material that they feel might be helpful to them.
The purpose of this course is to provide firefighters and first responders with information about detecting, preserving, and securing evidence at fire scenes for further investigation. This course may also entice some participants to continue into the longer, more detailed Fire and Arson Investigation program (120 hours) and become eligible to be certified as fire scene investigators.
This course is designed to teach students every aspect of ladder usage on the fire ground and other locations. The training includes safe use of portable ground ladders including ladder selection, carrying and climbing ladders, climbing ladders with tools, maintaining balance on ladders, safe working practices on pitched and flat roofs, weight-rating systems of ladders, ladder inspection, and ladder cleaning/maintenance. The information provided in this course meets or exceeds OSHA regulations.
Describes the relationship between heat stress and cardiovascular strain and how this is likely to impact firefighter injuries and fatalities. Instructors review recommendations for on-scene rehabilitation and discuss methods for implementing effective programs. Discussion on the leadership issues required to institute programs that will impact line of duty deaths continues throughout the course. Strategies are examined for forming partnerships and collaborations that enable fire departments to implement effective rehabilitation programs aimed at meeting the needs of firefighters while recognizing that most departments are working in an environment of limited resources. Examples of recommended rehab policies and best practices will be provided or referenced.
The goal of this course is to familiarize fire department personnel with Firefighter Rescue and Survival. Students will familiarize themselves with various survival techniques. The students will also familiarize themselves with equipment that is necessary to make use of those techniques. Students will also learn how to make more efficient use of their department’s equipment.
This five-day class is designed to help command officers gain the knowledge and practical skills required to effectively direct multiple companies at a fire. Classroom discussions of leadership, responsibilities, and tactics will be coupled with four days of demonstrations and hands-on practice of directing live-fire evolutions. Each student will take the role of a command officer. Afterwards, each evolution will be critiqued by their fellow students and instructors. First priority will be given to applicants who are in a Command Officer position on their department, officers who act in a Command role will be given second priority, and any other opening will be given to the remaining applicants on a first come-first serve basis.
This class is designed to help company officers gain the knowledge and practical skills required to effectively lead a fire company.Classroom discussions of leadership, responsibilities, and tactics will be coupled with four days of demonstrations and hands-on practice of directing live-fire evolutions. Each student will take the role of a company officer.Afterwards, each evolution will be critiqued by their fellow students and instructors.
This is a 12-hour classroom followed by an additional 8 hours of training ground opportunity. The 12-hour classroom is a precursor for the 8-hour training ground activities. This class is designed to include every member of a fire service organization. It provides every participant with a working knowledge of incident management, time-tested management principles, and an emphasis on workable communication skills. The class will focus on the fire scene that does not have dedicated truck, engine, or rescue response companies. It will also focus on a response reality of initially not knowing the number of responding Firefighters, or their skills, ranks, experience, or limitations. Attendees will be challenged to assess response scenes to include radio traffic.
Training culminates by providing students the opportunity to be a part of a fire scene management system. This course will take the student through Step 4 of the IFSI 5 Step Learning Model, providing experience as command or company level leaders in simulated fire ground activities.
This class provides an overview of farm fires and brings strategies, tactics, operations and water supply logistics together. Today, rural fire departments can extinguish most farm fires. Emphasizing pre-planning, thinking "beyond your own back yard" and encouraging joint training and practice rural fires can have successful outcomes. The class covers response capabilities, strengths and weakness of the department as well as considerations for farm fires in buildings, areas involving common farm chemicals, machinery, fields and/or crops.
This course is designed for all levels of the fire service. In this course, the student will learn the basics of fire and sprinkler systems as well as basic elevator functions during an alarm. The knowledge gained from this course will assist fire companies to identify and respond to different types of alarms. This will increase their awareness of tactical and strategic decision making. Upon completion of this course, the student will have a better understanding of using the fire alarm system as a tool in identifying where a true fire may be located before it starts growing exponentially.
In this class, students learn about the challenges unique to high-rise buildings such as the mixture of commercial, high hazard storage, assembly and residential occupancies. Understanding the construction features, detection-suppression-communications systems, and strategic and tactical considerations required of the command personnel are discussed. Various firefighting problems are illustrated as they relate to fire department connections, methods of supplying standpipes or sprinklers, hose layouts and deployment, and command and control issues. Instructors also cover accountability, stack affect, rescue profile, ventilation concerns, and fire suppression challenges outside the reach of pre-connected hose lines.
Being a fire fighter entails much more than simply knowing the mechanics of firefighting. The fire service is rich with history and tradition and has developed into a sophisticated and varied profession. It is the responsibility of the fire fighter to know the history of the fire service because all these events factor into how and why a fire department operates. This course provides an overview of some significant fire-related events throughout history. The purpose of this course is to provide a basic understanding of firefighting history and to help identify the changes made to the fire service made along the timeline. This course does not count toward any state, NFPA, IFSAC, or PRO Board certification. Upon the successful completion of the ONLINE course, the student will receive an IFSI Certificate of Attendance.
This up to 8-hour course is designed for Firefighters with 1-3 years of experience, who are new to operating fire department pumping apparatus. In this course, the student will review the design, construction, and limitations of municipal and private water systems to understand how to maximize the amount of water available to the fire scene. Students will discuss how to determine the total amount of water available from a hydrant for firefighting operations, positioning and connecting a fire department pumping apparatus to a hydrant, maximizing the flow from the hydrant, and relay pumping. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will have a better understanding of the pump operator’s role in maximizing water supply for fireground operations.
This online course provides basics for understanding fire origin and cause.
The modules in this course cover the responsibility of first responders, the investigative process, and scene preservation.
The information in this course provides an overview of the investigative process, fire determination techniques, and the key role of first responders play with evidence preservation.
The Leadership Development and Decision Making for Chief and Fire Officers Course is idea for anyone who is passionate about becoming an exception leader. The course immerses students in experiential learning through small group discussions and table top scenarios. Topics will address leadership characteristics, moral and ethical decisions, and decision-making skills.
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.
Due to time constraints of job, family, and the needs of the department/district, many leaders are unable to commit the time required to attend formalized classes on leadership. This course is designed to address the leadership principles necessary to effectively direct and manage volunteer, combination and small to medium sized career departments. This course will identify leadership philosophies and facilitate a patch of discovery designed to help the student identify their own leadership qualities, strengths and weaknesses. Discussion of individual department challenges in a case study format is encouraged. Primary focus will be for Intermediate or advanced command level/supervisory personnel, but can include fire service/emergency services personnel at all levels.
This two-day course will enable students to begin to create a comprehensive campus fire and life safety program, starting with conducting a risk assessment and developing and evaluating an emergency plan, as well as building partnerships to sustain emergency programs and plans.
This course will empower the learner to identify and mitigate common campus fire and life safety risks, as well as understand the basic components and operation of fire protection and life safety systems.
This six-day course introduces the student to the fundamental methodology for application of fire and life safety codes and standards. Although it contains many of the basic principles of code enforcement, more experienced code inspectors and officials might find it useful as a review of essential methodologies and as a useful update to current code enforcement applications. It is not the intent of this course to present specific code requirements, however this course focuses more on the methodology of the use of these requirements.
This two-day course presents a basic overview of a fire investigation. Students will review the basics of fire chemistry and develop an understanding of the role of the first responder in relation to fire suppression and fire investigation. The course will stress the importance of fire scene awareness, evidence identification, preservation, and the basics of a fire investigation. Students will develop an appreciation of the convergence of suppression, investigation, science, and law.
This six-day course will assist students in verifying that construction documents comply with applicable building and fire codes for fire protection and life safety requirements.
This six-day course focuses on how identification, intake, screening, disposition, and follow-up are used to mitigate youth firesetting behavior. Course content includes understanding the motivations behind youth firesetting and how the impact of adverse childhood experiences and behavioral/mental health challenges can influence firesetting behaviors. Practical experience interviewing at-risk youth and developing case narrative is included.
Students evaluate the existing state of their youth firesetting program, develop a vision for moving forward, construct an action plan, and deliver a persuasive speech to decision-makers for advancing the program.
Students representing the fire service are encouraged to partner with other agencies for this training. Partners can include, but are not limited to, fire investigators, law enforcement, mental health, social services, juvenile justice, or other stakeholders who can assist in building and maintaining programs in their communities.
This course contains training for structural firefighters to close gaps in their knowledge and skill that exist between their current structural skills and the NWCG wildland skills. The purpose of this course is to train structural firefighters in basic wildland firefighter skills.
The class fees for this class are being covered by a grant if your department serves a population under 10,000. If you fail to attend the class or cancel after 4 weeks from the start of the class, you or your sponsoring department may be billed the full tuition of the class.
Prescribed Fire Implementation, RX-301 is designed to introduce students to the tools and techniques used to perform the job of a Prescribed Fire Burn Boss(RXB). Additional course hours will be required if agency specific material is added. The course is based on the tasks in the RXB position task book. It leads students through the duties and responsibilities associated with the RXB position. The desired outcome of this course is to prepare students for trainee assignments as a Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2).
The class fees for this class are being covered by a grant if your department serves a population under 10,000. If you fail to attend the class or cancel after 4 weeks from the start of the class, you or your sponsoring department may be billed the full tuition of the class.
The purpose of RX-341, Prescribed Fire Plan Preparation, is to provide students with the skills/knowledge to prepare a prescribed fire plan for technical review and approval in accordance with the Interagency Prescribed Fire Planning and Implementation Procedures Reference Guide.
The class fees for this class are being covered by a grant if your department serves a population under 10,000. If you fail to attend the class or cancel after 4 weeks from the start of the class, you or your sponsoring department may be billed the full tuition of the class.
Hands on exercises to complete the online portion of S130/S190. Water handling, hand tool use, firing devices with live fire evolution. Recommend 10/1 - Level C or D PPE.
The class fees for this class are being covered by a grant if your department serves a population under 10,000. If you fail to attend the class or cancel after 4 weeks from the start of the class, you or your sponsoring department may be billed the full tuition of the class.
This course is designed to provide entry level wildland firefighter skills; including but not limited to basic incident command terminology relative to wildland firefighting positions, basic crew and resource configurations, tools, equipment and fundamental water handling concepts commonly used in wildland suppression operations. An integral part of the training covers safety issues and the mitigation concepts utilized to protect the firefighter in this dangerous environment. The student learns and hones these skills during realistic live fire exercises. Upon successful completion of this class, the student will walk away with an increased level of basic wildland firefighter competencies.
The class fees for this class are being covered by a grant if your department serves a population under 10,000. If you fail to attend the class or cancel after 4 weeks from the start of the class, you or your sponsoring department may be billed the full tuition of the class.
Firefighter Type 1, S-131, is an eight-hour course designed to meet the training needs of the Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1). This course is designed to be interactive in nature. It contains several tactical decision games designed to facilitate learning the objectives and class discussion. Topics include fireline reference materials, communications, and tactical decision making.
The class fees for this class are being covered by a grant if your department serves a population under 10,000. If you fail to attend the class or cancel after 4 weeks from the start of the class, you or your sponsoring department may be billed the full tuition of the class.
This is an instructor-led course intended to be presented at the local level. The course lessons provide introduction to the function, maintenance and use of internal combustion engine powered chain saws, and their tactical wildland fire application. Field exercises support entry level training for firefighters with little or no previous experience in operating a chain saw, providing hands-on cutting experience in surroundings similar to fireline situations.
The class fees for this class are being covered by a grant if your department serves a population under 10,000. If you fail to attend the class or cancel after 4 weeks from the start of the class, you or your sponsoring department may be billed the full tuition of the class.
This course is designed to assist structure and wildland firefighters who will be making tactical decisions when confronting wildland fire that threatens life,property, and improvements, in the wildland/urban interface. Instructional units include interface awareness, size-up, initial strategy and incident action plan, structure triage, structure protection tactics, incident action plan assessment and update, follow-up and public relations, and firefighter safety in the interface.
The class fees for this class are being covered by a grant if your department serves a population under 10,000. If you fail to attend the class or cancel after 4 weeks from the start of the class, you or your sponsoring department may be billed the full tuition of the class.
This is a classroom-based skills course designed to prepare the prospective fireline supervisor to undertake safe and effective fire management operations. Identify and describe the characteristics of fuels, weather, and topography that influence wildland fire behavior. Describe the interaction of fuels, weather, and topography on wildland fire behavior, fireline tactics, and safety. Describe the causes of extreme fire behavior conditions (long range spotting, crowning, and fire whirls) that develop due to weather, fuels, and/or topography. Interpret, communicate, apply, and document wildland fire behavior and weather information.
The class fees for this class are being covered by a grant if your department serves a population under 10,000. If you fail to attend the class or cancel after 4 weeks from the start of the class, you or your sponsoring department may be billed the full tuition of the class.
This course is designed to introduce fire behavior calculations by manual methods, using nomograms and the Fire Behavior Handbook Appendix B. Students gain an understanding of the determinants of fire behavior through studying inputs (weather, slope, fuels, and fuel moisture). Students also learn how to interpret fire behavior outputs, documentation processes, and fire behavior briefing components.
The class fees for this class are being covered by a grant if your department serves a population under 10,000. If you fail to attend the class or cancel after 4 weeks from the start of the class, you or your sponsoring department may be billed the full tuition of the class.
The Oil Well Firefighting course provides students with knowledge about the history of oil drilling and production in Illinois. Information is provided about equipment used at drilling and production sites, as well as details about incidents that can occur at these sites. Students will gain practical skills for responding to drilling and production site emergencies by training in live fire drills.
This course is designed to prepare employees to properly and safely use portable fire extinguishers in the event of a fire in the incipient phase. The course offers classroom and hands on training.
Pre-Fire Planning is a classroom based, 2-4 hour block of instruction designed to prepare an individual to conduct basic pre-fire plans at the company level. The class is tailored for basic operations fire service personnel to become familiar with properties and potential hazards within their communities. Topics in the course include: Benefits of Pre-Planning, Process of Pre-Planning, Process Components, Information Needed to Conduct the Pre-Plan, Equipment Needed to Conduct the Pre-Plan, Applying the process of Pre-Incident Planning to a Facility.
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 course runs in conjunction with RIT Under Fire and provides firefighters with the necessary advanced skills to effectively operate as command of a responder intervention team.
RIT Chief combines classroom lecture, firefighter fatality case studies, command drills, and hands-on scenario-based training involving a firefighter MAYDAY. Skills are practiced and honed under live fire conditions that will challenge each student mentally and physically. This course goes beyond any traditional class by experiencing command operations in the fire suppression environment, preparing the officer for our worst-case scenario.
PLEASE NOTE:
RIT Chief Under Fire is offered December 16-19, 2024 and will be a 40-hour class delivery.
Illinois students should register for the Responder Intervention Team (RIT) Chief course.
RIT Under Fire provides firefighters with the necessary advanced skills to operate effectively as a member of a responder intervention team. The course includes classroom lectures, firefighter fatality case studies, drag and carries, breaching, heavy lifting with hydraulic and pneumatic tools, and hands-on scenario-based training involving a firefighter mayday. All skills are practiced under live-fire conditions under the direction of a seasoned instructional team.
IFSI has adapted the traditional five-day delivery of RIT Technician to meet the travel needs of out of state students. The learning objectives and course intensity are the same in both courses. Attendees should plan for four-days of immersive training experiences that will challenge each student mentally and physically.
PLEASE NOTE:
RIT Under Fire is offered December 16-19, 2024 and will be a 40-hour class delivery.
Illinois students should register for the Responder Intervention Rescue Technician course.
This class is designed for the firefighter with varying years of experience. In this class the student learns the basic firefighter skills and techniques of SCBA during classroom and hands on exercises. Upon successful completion of this class, the student will walk away with an increased level of basic firefighter competencies.
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.
In this class, students will learn to recognize the hazards associated with newer vehicles such as bumpers, drive shafts, passive restraint detonation systems, and various kinds of fuel systems. Identification of scene safety concerns, engine placement, and recognizing the challenges of compartment forcible entry to affect extinguishment are discussed. The class also covers line selection and operation, assembly, and utilization of a foam stream. Methods to gain entry to engine compartments and trunks for more rapid-fire suppression are also presented. Hands-on evolutions are dependent on available vehicles provided by the class host and permission through the AHJ for live fire evolutions.
NEW REQUIREMENT OF NFPA 1403 - Required minimum training, see Section 4.3.1 thru 4.3.2.5.
Documentation of prescribed minimum training 4.3.3, must be documented on IFSI's Minimum Training Documentation form (see attached). This document must be signed by an authorized department's Chief.
An acquired structure burn is a unique opportunity for fire fighters to learn new skills, as well as, to hone previously acquired abilities. As a result, this course has been designed for fire fighters of every background, training and experience level. The course is appropriate for any volunteer, paid on-call, or career fire department member. Topics covered will include fire behavior, hose movement, ventilation techniques, search and rescue, fire attack, and coordinated fire attack. Drills and scenarios will be customized to match the resources and personnel available. There may be instances where all topics are not covered due to structure, equipment, and/or personnel limitations.
A number of additional prerequisites must be met prior to lighting the fires for training. The property owner must provide written permission and an Agreement for Burning of Property form. The department hosting the training must obtain an Open Burning Permit (available from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency). An asbestos inspection must be conducted by an appropriate entity. Asbestos must be removed prior to burning the property. The required forms and applications will be forwarded to departments requesting this training and local property owners should be informed that permits must be obtained from the IEPA even if they choose to burn or tear the property down themselves. A safety checklist and list of required equipment is also sent with the permit forms.
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.
An acquired structure burn is a unique opportunity for fire fighters to learn new skills, as well as to hone previously acquired abilities. As a result, this course has been designed for approved IFSI Instructors to become a member of the IFSI Acquired Structure Burn Team. Topics covered will include NFPA 1403 policies and IFSI Acquired Structure Policies and Procedures. Drills and scenarios will replicate an Acquired Structure Live Burn.
The Advanced Active Shooter Incident Management (ASIM) course is a 24-hour performance-level course designed to improve incident management and integration of law enforcement, fire, and EMS responders to active shooter events. The course provides a model framework for use by law enforcement, fire and EMS command staff to manage active shooter event response to improve time to threat neutralization, medical intervention, and survivability of victims. The framework utilizes the Active Shooter Incident Management Checklist™, a validated active shooter event response checklist integrating best practices guided by National Incident Management System (NIMS) principles and Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC). Enrollment is limited to command-level (decision-makers) personnel.
Focus:
The course emphasizes incident management principles, including command, coordination, communication, collaboration, and resource management, essential for effectively managing active shooter incidents.
Important Note:
To ensure a balanced representation of first responder disciplines, we do not publicly list classes on our website. Instead, class scheduling and registration are closely coordinated with the local jurisdiction that requests the training.
Please contact Dave Saitta, our NIMS/ICS Program Manager, to set up a class in your jurisdiction.
The Active Shooter Incident Management (ASIM) Basic course is an 8-hour performance-level training designed to improve incident management and coordination among law enforcement, emergency management, and fire and EMS responders during active shooter events. The course provides a validated framework for school personnel, law enforcement, fire, and EMS to effectively manage violent event responses, with a specific emphasis on minimizing response time, providing timely medical intervention, and enhancing victim survivability.
Association:
If you are affiliated with an emergency responder organization such as a fire, police, EMS, or EMA agency, it is mandatory to enroll in BOTH the Active Shooter Incident Management (ASIM) and the School Safety and Violent Event Incident Management (SSAVEIM) courses. Attending both courses will ensure comprehensive training for your profession.
If a school system employs you, please enroll in the School Safety and Violent Event Incident Management (SSAVEIM) course ONLY. This course is specifically tailored to equip school personnel with the necessary knowledge and skills to manage violent events in schools and reunify children with the appropriate guardians. The ASIM program is not suitable for your specific profession. However, the SSAVEIM program will provide you with a brief introduction to the relevant concepts.
Focus:
The course emphasizes incident management principles, including command, coordination, communication, collaboration, and resource management, essential for effectively managing active shooter incidents.
Important Note:
To ensure a balanced representation of first responder disciplines, we do not publicly list classes on our website. Instead, class scheduling and registration are closely coordinated with the local jurisdiction that requests the training.
Please contact Dave Saitta, our NIMS/ICS Program Manager, to set up a class in your jurisdiction.
This class is designed to continue where the Basic Auto Extrication course left off. Knowledge of common techniques and tools is a prerequisite. The course will involve hands-on practical training involving various scenarios and address scene safety, evaluation and management. Hands-on experience using various methods to stabilize vehicles on their side, upside down, and on other vehicles or barriers is necessary. Operations will involve laying down, crouching, or crawling in vehicles. Includes challenging scenarios where all members of the team must be working to keep from pushing out of the golden hour. Participants must furnish approved helmet, fire boots or leather safety boots, eye protection, gloves, coveralls or turnout gear for class. If conducted off-site, is the responsibility of the host department to provide vehicles and means for positioning them.
Before the 9/11 attacks, ICS training was exercised nearly exclusively on fire-based incidents. Recognizing the applicability and sincere need for NIMS principles across incident response disciplines, an “all-hazards” approach to training will be embraced in this course.
With an “all-hazards” approach, this course will focus on how a Facilities Unit Leader (FACL) needs to fundamentally possess the same core knowledge, skills, and abilities whether they are responding to a fire, an oil spill, a mass-casualty incident, or another incident. In other words, regardless of the hazard, discipline, or incident, the essential job of a FACL is the same.
This course uses lecture, discussion, student participation, and activities to focus on understanding the behaviors, duties, responsibilities, and capabilities of an effective FACL on a Type 3 AHIMT.
The intended audience(s) Federal, state, tribal, and/or local level emergency responders who may be designated as a Facilities Unit Leaders (FACL) on their local or state Incident Management Team. The materials were developed with the assumption that audience members may have little or no actual experience as a member of an AHIMT.
The audience may include students from a variety of agencies and functional disciplines, including fire service, law enforcement, emergency management, public works departments, as well as public health organizations, medical emergency teams, and hospitals.
NIMS ICS specific training should be completed by personnel who are regularly assigned to function, support, or unit leader positions on Type III or IV Incident Management Teams or by those persons who desire to seek credentials/certification in those positions.
Before the 9/11 attacks, Incident Command System (ICS) training was exercised nearly exclusively on fire-based incidents. Recognizing the applicability and sincere need for National Incident Management System (NIMS) principles across incident response disciplines, an “all-hazards” approach to training will be embraced in this course.
With an “all-hazards” approach, this course will focus on how a Finance/Administration Section Chief (FSC) needs to fundamentally possess the same core knowledge, skills, and abilities whether they are responding to a fire, an oil spill, a mass-casualty incident, or another incident. In other words, regardless of the hazard, discipline, or incident, the essential job of an FSC is the same.
This course uses lecture, discussion, student participation, and activities to focus on understanding the behaviors, duties, responsibilities, and capabilities of an effective FSC on a Type III All Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT).
The intended audience(s) are federal, state, tribal, and/or local level emergency responders who may be designated as a Finance/Administration on their local or state Incident Management Team (IMT). The materials were developed with the assumption that audience members may have little or no actual experience as a member of an AHIMT.
The audience may include students from a variety of agencies and functional disciplines, including fire service, law enforcement, emergency management, public works departments, as well as public health organizations, medical emergency teams, and hospitals.
NIMS ICS specific training should be completed by personnel who are regularly required assigned to function under the Incident Command System (ICS), by personnel who may be called upon to function in a Command, Staff, or Unit Leader position on a Type III or IV AHIMT, or by those persons who desire to seek credentials/certification in those positions.
Before the 9/11 attacks, ICS training was exercised nearly exclusively on fire-based incidents. Recognizing the applicability and sincere need for NIMS principles across incident response disciplines, an “all-hazards” approach to training will be embraced in this course.
With an “all-hazards” approach, this course will focus on how a Finance/Administration Unit Leader (FAUL) needs to fundamentally possess the same core knowledge, skills, and abilities whether they are responding to a fire, an oil spill, a mass-casualty incident, or another incident. In other words, regardless of the hazard, discipline, or incident, the essential job of a Finance/Administration Unit Leader is the same.
This course uses lecture, discussion, student participation, and activities to focus on understanding the behaviors, duties, responsibilities, and capabilities of an effective FAUL on a Type 3 AHIMT.
The intended audience(s) are Federal, state, tribal, and/or local level emergency responders who may be designated as a Finance/Administration Unit Leader (FAUL) on their local or state IMT. The materials were developed with the assumption that audience members may have little or no actual experience as a member of an AHIMT.
The audience may include students from a variety of agencies and functional disciplines, including fire service, law enforcement, emergency management, public works departments, as well as public health organizations, medical emergency teams, and hospitals.
NIMS ICS specific training should be completed by personnel who are regularly required assigned to function under the Incident Command System (ICS), by personnel who may be called upon to function in a Command, Staff, or Unit Leader position on a Type III or IV AHIMT, or by those persons who desire to seek credentials/certification in those positions
Before the 9/11 attacks, ICS training was exercised nearly exclusively on fire-based incidents. Recognizing the applicability and sincere need for NIMS principles across incident response disciplines, an “all-hazards” approach to training will be embraced in this course.
With an “all-hazards” approach, this course will focus on how an Incident Commander (IC) needs to fundamentally possess the same core knowledge, skills, and abilities whether they are responding to a fire, an oil spill, a mass-casualty incident, or another incident. In other words, regardless of the hazard, discipline, or incident, the essential job of an IC is the same.
This course uses lecture, discussion, student participation, and activities to focus on understanding the behaviors, duties, responsibilities, and capabilities of an effective IC on a Type 3 AHIMT.
The intended audience(s) are Federal, state, tribal, and/or local level emergency responders who may be designated as an Incident Commander on their local or state IMT. The materials were developed with the assumption that audience members may have little or no actual experience as a member of an AHIMT.
The audience may include students from a variety of agencies and functional disciplines, including fire service, law enforcement, emergency management, public works departments, as well as public health organizations, medical emergency teams, and hospitals.
NIMS ICS specific training should be completed by personnel who are regularly required assigned to function under the Incident Command System (ICS), by personnel who may be called upon to function in a Command, Staff, or Unit Leader position on a Type III or IV AHIMT, or by those persons who desire to seek credentials/certification in those positions.
Before the 9/11 attacks, Incident Command System training was exercised nearly exclusively on fire-based incidents. Recognizing the applicability and sincere need for National Incident Management System principles across incident response disciplines, an “all-hazards” approach to training will be embraced in this course.
With an “all-hazards” approach, this course will focus on how a Liaison Officer (LOFR) needs to fundamentally possess the same core knowledge, skills, and abilities whether they are responding to a fire, an oil spill, a mass-casualty incident, or another incident. In other words, regardless of the hazard, discipline, or incident, the essential job of a Safety Officer is the same.
This course uses lecture, discussion, student participation, and activities to focus on understanding the behaviors, duties, responsibilities, and capabilities of an effective Liaison Officer (LOFR) on a Type 3 All Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT).
The intended audience(s) Federal, state, tribal, and/or local level emergency responders who may be designated as a Liaison Officer on their local or state Incident Management Team. The materials were developed with the assumption that audience members may have little or no actual experience as a member of an AHIMT.
The audience may include students from a variety of agencies and functional disciplines, including fire service, law enforcement, emergency management, public works departments, as well as public health organizations, medical emergency teams, and hospitals.
National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS) specific training should be completed by personnel who are regularly assigned to function on a Type 3 AHIMT or by those persons who desire to seek credentials/certification in those positions.
Before the 9/11 attacks, ICS training was exercised nearly exclusively on fire-based incidents. Recognizing the applicability and sincere need for NIMS principles across incident response disciplines, an “all-hazards” approach to training will be embraced in this course.
With an “all-hazards” approach, this course will focus on how a Logistics Section Chief (LSC) needs to fundamentally possess the same core knowledge, skills, and abilities whether they are responding to a fire, an oil spill, a mass-casualty incident, or another incident. In other words, regardless of the hazard, discipline, or incident, the essential job of an LSC is the same.
This course uses lecture, discussion, student participation, and activities to focus on understanding the behaviors, duties, responsibilities, and capabilities of an effective LSC on a Type 3 All-Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT).
The intended audience(s) Federal, state, tribal, and/or local level emergency responders who may be designated as an LSC on their local or state Incident Management Team (IMT). The materials were developed with the assumption that audience members may have little or no actual experience as a member of an AHIMT.
The audience may include students from a variety of agencies and functional disciplines, including fire service, law enforcement, emergency management, public works departments, as well as public health organizations, medical emergency teams, and hospitals.
NIMS ICS specific training should be completed by personnel who are regularly assigned to function on a Type 3 AHIMT or by those persons who desire to seek credentials/certification in those positions.
Before the 9/11 attacks, ICS training was exercised nearly
exclusively on fire-based incidents. Recognizing the applicability and sincere need for NIMS principles across incident response disciplines, an “all-hazards” approach to training will be embraced in this course.
With an “all-hazards” approach, this course will focus on how a Planning Section Chief (PSC) needs to fundamentally possess the same core knowledge, skills, and abilities whether they are responding to a fire, an oil spill, a mass-casualty incident, or another incident. In other words, regardless of the hazard, discipline, or incident, the essential job of a PSC is the same.
This course uses lecture, discussion, student participation, and activities to focus on understanding the behaviors, duties, responsibilities, and capabilities of an effective PSC on a Type 3 AHIMT.
The intended audience(s) Federal, state, tribal, and/or local level emergency responders who may be designated as a Planning Section Chief (PSC) on their local or state IMT. The materials were developed with the assumption that audience members may have little or no actual experience as a member of an AHIMT.
The audience may include students from a variety of agencies and functional disciplines, including fire service, law enforcement, emergency management, public works departments, as well as public health organizations, medical emergency teams, and hospitals.
NIMS ICS specific training should be completed by personnel who are regularly assigned to function on a Type III AHIMT or by those persons who desire to seek credentials/certification in those positions.
Before the 9/11 attacks, ICS training was exercised nearly exclusively on fire-based incidents. Recognizing the applicability and sincere need for NIMS principles across incident response disciplines, an “all-hazards” approach to training will be embraced in this course.
With an “all-hazards” approach, this course will focus on how a Public Information Officer (PIO) needs to fundamentally possess the same core knowledge, skills, and abilities whether they are responding to a fire, an oil spill, a mass-casualty incident, or another incident. In other words, regardless of the hazard, discipline, or incident, the essential job of a Public Information Officer is the same.
This course uses lecture, discussion, student participation, and activities to focus on understanding the behaviors, duties, responsibilities, and capabilities of an effective PIO on a Type 3 AHIMT.
The intended audience(s) are Federal, state, tribal, and/or local level emergency responders who may be designated as a Public Information Officer (PIO) on their local or state IMT. The materials were developed with the assumption that audience members may have little or no actual experience as a member of an AHIMT.
The audience may include students from a variety of agencies and functional disciplines, including fire service, law enforcement, emergency management, public works departments, as well as public health organizations, medical emergency teams, and hospitals.
NIMS ICS specific training should be completed by personnel who are regularly required assigned to function under the Incident Command System (ICS), by personnel who may be called upon to function in a Command, Staff, or Unit Leader position on a Type III or IV AHIMT, or by those persons who desire to seek credentials/certification in those positions.
Before the 9/11 attacks, ICS training was exercised nearly exclusively on fire-based incidents. Recognizing the applicability and sincere need for NIMS principles across incident response disciplines, an “all-hazards” approach to training will be embraced in this course.
With an “all-hazards” approach, this course will focus on how a Resources Unit Leader (RESL) and a Demobilization Unit Leader (DMOB) need to fundamentally possess the same core knowledge, skills, and abilities whether they are responding to a fire, an oil spill, a mass-casualty incident, or another incident. In other words, regardless of the hazard, discipline, or incident, the essential job of a RESL or DMOB is the same.
This course uses lecture, discussion, student participation, and activities to focus on understanding the behaviors, duties, responsibilities, and capabilities of an effective RESL and DMOB on a Type 3 AHIMT.
The intended audience(s) Federal, state, tribal, and/or local level emergency responders who may be designated as a Resources Unit Leader (RESL) and/or Demobilization Unit Leader (DMOB) on their local or state IMT. The materials were developed with the assumption that audience members may have little or no actual experience as a member of an AHIMT.
The audience may include students from a variety of agencies and functional disciplines, including fire service, law enforcement, emergency management, public works departments, as well as public health organizations, medical emergency teams, and hospitals.
NIMS ICS specific training should be completed by personnel who are regularly assigned to function on a Type III AHIMT or by those persons who desire to seek credentials/certification in those positions.
Before the 9/11 attacks, ICS training was exercised nearly exclusively on fire-based incidents. Recognizing the applicability and sincere need for NIMS principles across incident response disciplines, an “all-hazards” approach to training will be embraced in this course.
With an “all-hazards” approach, this course will focus on how a Safety Officer (SOFR) needs to fundamentally possess the same core knowledge, skills, and abilities whether they are responding to a fire, an oil spill, a mass-casualty incident, or another incident. In other words, regardless of the hazard, discipline, or incident, the essential job of a Safety Officer is the same.
This course uses lecture, discussion, student participation, and activities to focus on understanding the behaviors, duties, responsibilities, and capabilities of an effective Safety Officer on a Type 3 All Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT).
The intended audience(s) Federal, state, tribal, and/or local level emergency responders who may be designated as a Safety Officer on their local or state Incident Management Team. The materials were developed with the assumption that audience members may have little or no actual experience as a member of an AHIMT.
The audience may include students from a variety of agencies and functional disciplines, including fire service, law enforcement, emergency management, public works departments, as well as public health organizations, medical emergency teams, and hospitals.
National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS) specific training should be completed by personnel who are regularly assigned to function on a Type III AHIMT or by those persons who desire to seek credentials/certification in those positions.
Before the 9/11 attacks, ICS training was exercised nearly exclusively on fire-based incidents. Recognizing the applicability and sincere need for NIMS principles across incident response disciplines, an “all-hazards” approach to training will be embraced in this course.
With an “all-hazards” approach, this course will focus on how a Supply Unit Leader (SPUL) needs to fundamentally possess the same core knowledge, skills, and abilities whether they are responding to a fire, an oil spill, a mass-casualty incident, or another incident. In other words, regardless of the hazard, discipline, or incident, the essential job of a SPUL is the same.
This course uses lecture, discussion, student participation, and activities to focus on understanding the behaviors, duties, responsibilities, and capabilities of an effective Supply Unit Leader on a Type 3 AHIMT.
The intended audience(s) are Federal, state, tribal, and/or local level emergency responders who may be designated as a Supply Unit Leader (SPUL) on their local or state IMT. The materials were developed with the assumption that audience members may have little or no actual experience as a member of an AHIMT.
The audience may include students from a variety of agencies and functional disciplines, including fire service, law enforcement, emergency management, public works departments, as well as public health organizations, medical emergency teams, and hospitals.
NIMS ICS specific training should be completed by personnel who are regularly required assigned to function under the Incident Command System (ICS), by personnel who may be called upon to function in a Command, Staff, or Unit Leader position on a Type III or IV AHIMT, or by those persons who desire to seek credentials/certification in those positions
The goal of this professional development course, E/L 0984 Task Force/Strike (Resource) Team Leader, is to provide training designed to support all-hazards competencies and behaviors for a Task Force/Strike (Resource) Team Leader within a Type III Incident Management Team (IMT).
Before the 9/11 attacks, ICS training was exercised nearly exclusively on fire-based incidents. Recognizing the applicability and sincere need for NIMS principles across incident response disciplines, an “all-hazards” approach to training will be embraced in this course.
With an “all-hazards” approach, this course will focus on how a Task Force/Strike (Resource) Team (TF/ST) Leader needs to fundamentally possess the same core knowledge, skills, and abilities whether they are responding to a fire, an oil spill, a mass-casualty incident, or another incident. In other words, regardless of the hazard, discipline, or incident, the essential job of a TF/ST Leader is the same.
This course uses lecture, discussion, student participation, and activities to focus on understanding the behaviors, duties, responsibilities, and capabilities of an effective TF/ST Leader on a Type III AHIMT.
The intended audience(s) are local- or state-level emergency responders who may be designated as Task Force/Strike (Resource) Team Leaders on their local or state Incident Management Team (IMT). The materials were developed with the assumption that audience members may have little or no actual experience as a member of an AHIMT.
The audience may include students from a variety of agencies and functional disciplines, including fire service, law enforcement, emergency management, public works departments, as well as public health organizations, medical emergency teams, and hospitals.
National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS) position-specific training should be completed by personnel who are regularly assigned to function, support, or unit leader positions on USFA or other Type III or IV AHIMT or by those persons who desire to seek credentials/certification in those positions.
Attributes of Leading (AoL) is designed to build more effective fire service leaders of all ranks. It is a highly interactive, real-world applicable, case study-based course. The program focuses on twelve essential qualities of effective leading: Competence, Constructive influence, Grit, Humility, Presence, Resilience, Self-mastery, Self-regulation, Stepping up, Trust, Vigilance, and Wellness.
This course provides basics hands-on training for fire and rescue personnel in size-up, stabilization, hazard control, patient access, disentanglement and scene control techniques at automobile accidents involving one or two vehicles remaining on their wheels. Emphasis is placed on proper choice, placement and use of equipment available locally. From hand tools such as bars and hack saws, to electric tools such as nibblers and recip saws, to air powered tools like air chisels and impact wrenches, to heavy hydraulic tools – all are employed depending on local capabilities. Arrangements may be made for larger division or county classes to provide a cache of tools for the class. The vehicles used for class are provided by and disposed of by the local fire department. NOTE: Protective Clothing Required -- Participants must furnish approved helmet, fire boots or leather safety boots, eye protection, gloves, coveralls or turnout gear for class. Vehicles for actual extrication exercises must be supplied locally.
This class is designed to help company officers, or aspiring officers gain the knowledge and practical skills required to effectively lead fire companies. Classroom discussions and activities are based on emergency scene responsibilities, safety, and leadership qualities.
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.
This 4-hour online course will present exposure reduction best practices for implementation on the fireground. Research efforts at IFSI and other institutions have identified numerous best practices for reducing exposure to common fireground contaminants. This course will discuss the methodology used in research projects, the analysis of the collected data, and the implementation of changes at the fire department level.
All firefighters, including company and chief officers, can benefit from this program. The focus of the course is on the training exposures, but many of the principles can be applied to real-world scenarios.
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.
This course will focus on the Community Risk Reduction (CRR) steps involved in identifying and prioritizing risks, and the processes required for conducting a risk assessment in preparation for prevention and mitigation planning. The intent is to provide simple and easily understood guidelines for fire departments and/or other agencies to conduct a risk assessment of their community, with the goal of developing a local CRR program.
CRR is not a new concept for the fire service. For years fire departments have been involved in some form of community risk reduction through building inspections and public education since they were first organized in the U.S. But this concept needs to be applied in a focused manner, and truly integrated into the mission of the fire department. The process of CRR often unfolds in a predictable sequence of: (1) identifying fire risks at the operational level (preferably by fire station response area); (2) prioritizing the risks to be addressed, and (3) coordinating elements of emergency response with preventive tactics that mitigate risks. Applying CRR affords U.S. fire service agencies the opportunity, through a systematic approach, to proactively manage the risks within their communities.
Company Inspections is a course designed to prepare an individual to conduct basic fire prevention inspections at the company level. The class focuses on the importance of fire prevention as part of the fire service mission and on presenting the activities and skills involved in conducting company-level inspections.
Driver Readiness Interactive Vehicle Experience. This blended course is designed for students who have never operated large vehicles. Students will complete a series of online presentations covering safe driving practices, defensive driving principles, emergency vehicle response principles, and emergency driver responsibilities. The driving simulator will be used to acclimate students to the characteristics unique to large emergency vehicles including; vehicle dimensions, vehicle handling, and vehicle features by operating these vehicles in realistic exercises. Students will also participate in scenarios that practice spatial recognition, maneuvering large emergency vehicles in confined areas, as well as operation in both normal traffic situations and emergency responses.
This blended course is designed for students with at least 1 year of experience operating emergency vehicles. Students will complete an online presentation covering hazard management techniques and emergency vehicle defensive driving principles. Students will participate in driving simulator exercises that will develop their skillsets by allowing for the repeated practice of techniques. Emergency response scenarios will reinforce the use of these techniques and real-time decision making to avoid crashes.
The Advanced Skills Program expands on the firefighting skills learned in the Basic and Intermediate programs. Students should have previous experience with live fire training and a compentency of essential skills at or above the intermediate level. The Advanced Skills Program will challenge even the most experienced Explorer Cadet. Course topics include high-rise firefighting, transitional attack, compressed air foram system firefighting, railroad firefighting involving boxcars and tank cars, standpipe opeerations and thermal imaging cameras. Multiple coordinated attack scenarios, using new training props, will provide students with a new and challenging experience.
Required Gear: NFPA compliant PPE and SCBA
The Intermediate Skills Program is a more complex training experience designed for students who have a comfort in live fire conditions and have achieved a basic understanding of essential firefighting skills. Course topics include a comprehensive understanding of equipment and tactics for ropes and knots, structural firefighting, auto extrication, and emergency medical services. The Intermediate Skills Program adds the challenge of incident decision making and multi task assignments in challenging live fire conditions.
Required gear: NFPA compliant PPE and SCBA
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 class provides the opportunity to hone your skills at making the long stretch. When your pre-connected hose line is not going to reach, what is your plan, is it the most efficient method, have you and your crew trained and drilled on making the long lead out? This class allows repeated opportunities to manufacture lines off the rear hose bed to reach the tactical objective. Increasing your proficiency at building lines will result in getting water on the fire as quickly as possible.
Essentials II is the second installment in the Essentials Program. The Essentials Program is designed to introduce new and novice firefighters to essential skills in the fire service. Each level of the Essentials Program, Levels I, II, and III will introduce firefighters to skills that will build upon one another as participants progress through the program.
The Essentials Program is designed to meet the requirements of NFPA 1403 the Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions and parallels the Illinois Fire Service Institute’s Minimum Fire Fighter Training Guide. The scope of the Essentials Program is to prepare personnel for supporting the station and exterior firefighting operations.
This Essentials II Course will immerse the firefighter in skills related to water supply, hose line advancement, safety and survival, fireground search and rescue, ground ladders, ventilation, forcible entry, and loss control.
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.
Essentials III is the third installment in the Essentials Program. The Essentials Program is designed to introduce new and novice firefighters to essential skills in the fire service. Each level of the Essential Program, Levels I, II, and III will introduce firefighters to skills that will build upon one another as participants progress through the program.
The Essentials Program is designed to meet the requirements of NFPA 1403, the Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions and parallels the Illinois Fire Service Institute’s Minimum Fire Fighter Training Guide. The scope of the Essentials Program is to prepare personnel for supporting the station and exterior firefighting operations.
The Essentials III course will immerse the firefighter in skills related to basic pump operations, fire suppression, portable extinguishers, ropes and knots, rescue and RIT procedures, and vehicle fires.
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
The goal of this course is to give the student hands on experience with advanced firefighting methods such as Fire Ground Operations, SCBA’s, Ground Ladders, Search and Rescue, Ventilation, Water Supply, and Safety.
The goal of this course is to give the student a basic understanding of the emerging ethanol industry. Chances are you have volumes of ethanol moving through your community on any given day. Fire departments with ethanol plants in neighboring communities may be called to assist in ethanol plant emergencies. Ethanol has significantly different characteristics than petroleum based motor fuels. You must prepare to handle ethanol type incidents. Finally, this course provides a foundation to prepare you to take future ethanol courses. The Awareness course covers topics relating to E-85 such as chemical and physical properties, terminology, production, transportation, distribution, fire and health hazards, spills and the ramifications, sources of additional information and firefighting considerations and procedures.
The scope of this course is to educate students about grain storage facility types, their construction, and operating features. OSHA regulations, physical-environmental hazards and potential rescue resources are identified to ensure the response falls within the requirements minimizing fire department civil or criminal liability. Scene management and safety are discussed in conjunction with locating and making contact with the victim. Appropriate non-entry rescue efforts are identified. Various cutting tools are used in a simulated rescue to assist in the removal of grain from the system. Upon completion of this class the student will possess the ability to function as a support member to a rescue team conducting rescue operations at a grain storage facility.
Please bring with you to class:
Turn out gear
Helmet
Gloves
Eye protection
Ear protection
Steel toed shoes
This course is designed for emergency first responders. First responders are those who respond in the event of a 911 emergency response. The scope of this course is to educate students about grain storage facility types, their construction, and operating features. OSHA regulations, physical-environmental hazards and potential rescue resources are identified to ensure the response falls within the requirements minimizing fire department civil or criminal liability. Scene management and safety are discussed in conjunction with locating, securing, packaging, and moving the victim. Improvised mechanical advantage systems, high point anchors, and retrieval systems will be demonstrated. The class also covers safe patient assessment, stabilization, protection and packaging, plus removal as a part of rescue simulations. Various cutting tools are used in a simulated rescue to assist in the removal of grain from the system. Upon completion of this class the student will possess the ability to function as a member of a rescue team conducting rescue and entry operations at a grain storage facility. Note: this course is specifically designed and targeted only for entry into grain bins. Training and entry into other confined spaces are covered in other courses.
This course is designed to train individuals who respond to releases or potential releases of hazardous substances for the purpose of stopping the release. They assume a more aggressive role than a first responder at the operations level in that they will approach the point of the release in order to plug, patch, or otherwise stop the release of the hazardous substance. The course covers: implementation of the employer’s emergency response plan, classification and identification of unknown materials using field survey instruments, functioning within the Incident Command System, selection and use of specialized chemical protective equipment, hazard and risk assessment techniques, performing advanced product control operations, implementation of decontamination procedures, understanding proper termination procedures, and understanding basic chemical and toxicological terminology. This course meets or exceeds the requirements of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120(q) for Hazardous Materials Technician Training. It is intended for industrial and private response teams, who in their normal course of duty would be responsible for responding to a release of a known product. This course does not meet all of the requirements of NFPA 472 and thus is not intended for public safety agencies (ie. fire, police, military, etc).
This course will provide first responders with the knowledge and skills to: Understand what hazardous substances are and the risk associated with them in an incident; Recognize the presence of hazardous substances in an emergency; Understand the role of the emergency responder at the Awareness level, including site security and control; Have understanding of the U.S. Department of Transportation Emergency Response Guidebook; Realize the need for additional resources, call for appropriate assistance, and to make appropriate notifications to the community. This course also includes counter-terrorism curriculum.
This course meets NFPA 470 Standard, 2022 Edition and OSHA CFR 29.1910.120 (q). Additionally, it meets the requirements of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, and the National Fire Academy.
This course will provide first responders with the knowledge and skills to understand hazardous substances and the risks associated with them in an incident; recognize the presence of hazardous substances in an emergency; understand the role of the emergency responder at the Awareness level, including site security and control; have understanding of the U.S. Department of Transportation Emergency Guidebook; realize the need for additional resources, call for appropriate assistance, and make appropriate notifications to the community. This course also includes counter-terrorism curriculum. This course meets OSHA CFR 29.1910.120 (q). Additionally, it meets the requirements of the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, and the National Fire Academy. This course is approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health for 2 Emergency Medical Services Continuing Education Hours.
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 purpose of this course is to provide a forum for Senior Official discussion regarding the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the importance of the role of Senior Officials in preparedness. At the end of the course, students will be able to explain NIMS tenants and the role of the four command and coordination entities (Incident Command System [ICS], Emergency Operations Centers [EOC], Multiagency Coordination [MAC] Group and the Joint Information System [JIS]).
The target audience for this course is senior officials including executives, elected and appointed officials, city/county managers, agency administrators, as well as emergency management officials, public information officers, public safety (law enforcement, fire, EMS, public health and public works) personnel, and a jurisdiction's policy and legal advisors.
Customized courses take any of the subject areasand 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 provides Industrial Fire Brigade members a diverse selection of training which can be tailored to address the challenges of the Industry the brigade protects. With its flexible topics, training can include basic firefighting skills, technical rescue training, hazardous materials training or officer level leadership and management courses. Other topics can be included that closely match the needs of the students. Highly-trained, experienced and nationally-recognized instructors will come to your facility to simulate incidents students may face while in their home environment. Students and the organizations they represent will benefit from the tailor-made curriculum that focuses on their specific needs.
This course provides Industrial Fire Brigade members a diverse selection of training which can be tailored to address the challenges of the Industry the brigade protects. With its flexible topics, training can include basic firefighting skills, technical rescue training, hazardous materials training or officer level leadership and management courses. Other topics can be included that closely match the needs of the students. Highly-trained, experienced and nationally-recognized instructors, along with modern props and equipment, allow for quality training that closely simulates incidents students will face in the field. Students and the organizations they represent will benefit from the tailor-made curriculum that focuses on their specific needs.
The Pro Board Challenge Exam for the Fire Service Instructor I is designed to give State Certified Instructors the opportunity to obtain national certification. Evaluations, including a written exam and multiple skill evaluations, will be conducted over one 8-hour day. Upon successful completion of this objective process, national certification is awarded to the candidate, and the candidate’s name will be entered in the Pro Board registry.
This course is run in conjunction with a scheduled Instructor I course. In the event that the Instructor I class is cancelled, for whatever reason, this class will also be canceled.
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.
This class is being designed to bring awareness level information to Illinois emergency first responders in the area of large animal rescue. Responders include but are not limited to members for fire, police, EMS, sheriff departments, DNR and Forest Preserve Officers. Large animals will include but are not limited to horses, cows, pigs, sheep, lamas and alpacas; however the horse and cow will be used as the teaching model. The course will cover the following subjects: the purpose of large animal rescue, incident prevention and evacuation planning, understanding animal behavior (in normal settings and under stress) in large animal incidents, humane handling of large animals, understanding large animal restraint, large animal scene management, water and unstable ground rescues (ex. mud and ice), containment and capture of loose large animals, trailer and transport incidents, barn and wild land fires.
This class is being designed to bring operations level information to Illinois emergency first responders in the area of large animal rescue. Responders include but are not limited to members for fire, police, EMS, sheriff departments, DNR and Forest Preserve Officers. Large animals will include but are not limited to horses, cows, pigs, sheep, lamas and alpacas; however the horse and cow will be used as the teaching model. The course will cover the following subjects: classroom review of L.A.R.A. information, Animal haltering drills, and basic rescue drags drills, rescue glide drills, trailer safety inspections, simple vertical lifts drills, and mud rescue drills. The information and techniques learned are then applied to a full scale response scenario.
This course provides hands-on training for fire and rescue personnel in large vehicle extrication. Emphasis will be put on proper extrication techniques when dealing with large vehicles such as buses, trucks, and semitrailers. The vehicles used for class are provided by and disposed of by the local fire department. NOTE: Protective Clothing Required -- Participants must furnish approved helmet, fire boots or leather safety boots, eye protection, gloves, coveralls or turnout gear for class. Vehicles for actual extrication exercises must be supplied locally.
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.
This program is intended to focus on the strategies to help students exercise leadership within their organization, regardless of whether their role is as a senior firefighter, company-level officer or chief officer. Exercising leadership is a critical component in helping our nation’s fire service successfully implement many of the programs and initiatives to help reduce firefighter deaths and injuries. An important premise is that exercising leadership is not without its dangers. You may have personally experienced occasions where individuals avoid tough issues rather than upset anyone. Exercising leadership is dangerous because it can challenge what people hold dear, including their habits, loyalties, and ways of thinking.
The goal of this program is to enlighten firefighting personnel, regardless of their rank, on the important role that leadership plays in all aspects of firefighting operations and to offer strategies on how to not only avoid those dangers, but also to thrive, helping them to make a difference that is beyond measure.
The course shows students on how Leadership, Accountability, Culture, and Knowledge (LACK) impact firefighter safety. It assumes the student has a firm understanding of the Everyone Goes Home®, Courage to Be Safe® campaign, and that the student can communicate to others how to integrate life safety initiatives into their organization. While discussing how Leadership, Accountability, Culture, and Knowledge impact firefighter safety, the LACK Trainer utilizes the LACK Program as an opportunity to explain how the Courage to Be Safe® 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives can be a blueprint for a personal and an organizational improvement action plan. The program examines the root causes of line of duty deaths (LODDs) and the role of Leadership, Accountability, Culture, and Knowledge. LACK helps fire instructors gain a better understanding of the root causes of firefighter fatalities and how lacking these four elements affect firefighter safety. This knowledge is then used in the program to help fire officers understand how to improve survivability. Special emphasis is placed on discussing and understanding how fire service culture impacts line-of-duty injury and death.
This class delivers fundamental training in increments convenient to meet the needs of individual department members. Hands-on live fire training is set up in several different scenarios for all firefighters and their experience level. During the training rotations students will train on basic SCBA, hose handling and movement, ladder raises, carries, climbing, tool handling, and proper tool selection for the assigned task. Additionally, the coordinated drills will offer students an opportunity to work as a member of a fire suppression team, and introduce very basic RIT and Saving Our Own concepts. Minimum participation restrictions shall apply. 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
This class delivers fundamental training in increments convenient to meet the needs of individual department members. Hands-on live fire training is set up in several different scenarios for all firefighters and their experience level. During the training rotations students will train on basic SCBA, hose handling and movement, ladder raises, carries, climbing, tool handling, and proper tool selection for the assigned task. Additionally, the coordinated drills will offer students an opportunity to work as a member of a fire suppression team, and introduce very basic RIT and Saving Our Own concepts. Minimum participation restrictions shall apply. NOTE: Protective Clothing Required -- Participants must furnish approved helmet, turn out gear, eye protection, gloves, SCBA and boots for this class.
You MUST be pre-registered to be admitted to the training. No walk-ins allowed. Persons not on the Class Roster will not be admitted.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas Emergencies is a course aimed at personnel (emergency responders, Industry and Hazardous Materials teams) who may respond to handle Liquefied Petroleum Gas emergencies. The students will learn what Liquefied Petroleum Gas is and tactics in handling it. There will be hands on training in handling and controlling live flammable gas releases.
September 13-14, 2023
This is a two-day in-service training for dispatchers to participate in radio communication drills, extrication exercises, technical rescue, live fire, and hands-on training in realistic environments. Attendees will have the opportunity to "connect the dots" between the moment the call is taken and what occurs on the scene of an incident.
This is a no cost training opportunity supported by MABAS-IL.
Students will learn to identify conditions requiring master streams at fires in buildings or emergencies which require protecting exposures with a required fire flow of 350 gpm or greater. The various nozzle types and their characteristics available at the class location are discussed at length with deployment and operation being the greatest focus of this “hands on class” The nozzle reaction, use of various devices or appliances and their required pressures, selecting the proper line sizes and safe handling and operating procedures round out the practical portion of this class.
This course is designed for fire department personnel who utilize mobile water supply operations. Students will familiarize themselves with various alternative water sources and the equipment that is necessary to make use of those sources. Students will also discuss the need to pre-plan mobile water supply operations. Upon successful completion of this class, the student will learn how to make more efficient use of their department’s equipment.
This two-day course is designed to help fire and emergency services learn what community risk reduction is and how to build organizational support for it. This course will address the challenges that fire departments face in shifting their priorities from response to prevention. In many departments, community risk reduction is still considered a low priority. This course will show you how community risk reduction can help you and your department become more of a community player in times of decreased budgets.
This course includes three units of instruction:
At the end of this course, students will be evaluated through a 25-question multiple-choice examination. A final grade will be provided to each student. The minimum score needed to pass is 70.
There is a pre-course assignment to complete before class that should take about one hour to complete.
Selection criteria
The target audience for this course may include the following:
• Fire and emergency services personnel who want to learn about community risk reduction.
• Fire and emergency services personnel who are currently involved with fire prevention and have an interest in advancing risk-reduction efforts in their community.
Prerequisites
None
The “Emergency Response to Terrorism: Strategic Considerations” (ERT: SC) course examines the decision-making process involved in making risk-based responses to potential threat incidents. The value of developing a risk-based response is both safety-oriented and legally justifiable. Recognizing the need for understanding and communicating the principles of a risk-based response is part of the process of defining the best/safest response to a particular incident
inclusive of all circumstances. Recent changes to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 472, Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents, and 1072, Standard for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Emergency Response Personnel Professional Qualifications, and the 2017 update to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) place even more emphasis on this effort.
This course is designed for fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responders who may be designated by the Incident Commander (IC) as an ISO while working within an Incident Command System (ICS). These assignments may occur during firefighting, EMS, special-operations-type incidents, and training evolutions.
This course is an incident-specific, scenario-oriented course designed to teach students what an ISO needs to know at an incident. The course uses instructor-led discussion, multimedia activities, and small group discussions to convey instructional points.
This two-day course teaches students how to use standardized forms to achieve uniformity in their incident and activity reporting. This training program is designed specifically to support local fire service organizations, and it will assist them in providing data both to their management and to decision-makers, as well as to their state uniform fire reporting system.
This series presents the fire and emergency medical services (EMS) supervisor with the basic leadership skills and tools needed to perform effectively in the fire and EMS environment, to successfully transition to supervisory and leadership roles, and establish a conceptual foundation and framework for success in leadership roles by exploring creative, analytical, political and critical thinking perspectives.
Topics in the course include: adaptive leadership, change management, active followership, effective communication including difficult conversations, advocacy-inquiry based dialogue and persuasion, ethics, authority, power, decision-making assessing situations from multiple perspectives, fostering creativity and innovation, professionalism, resilience, emotional intelligence, situational awareness, managing conflict, delegating, mentoring, coaching, empowerment, and building collaboration and synergy for professional growth.
The course includes the development of a personal plan for active engagement in the provision of leadership in supervision.
This course meets the requirements of the Managing Officer Program for completion of Leadership I, II, and III.
This two-day course is designed to develop a better understanding of the role and responsibilities of Company Officers (COs) in preparing their company for incident operations and to clarify the transition from firefighter to CO and the new roles relating to leadership and safety.
This course is designed for COs, acting COs, or senior firefighters responsible for the management of a single fire company at an emergency incident, including those officers who are responsible for company readiness, personnel safety, and leadership as it relates to company operation.
The goal of this course is to provide the students with the ability to verify that the design of the residential fire sprinkler system complies with national standards and a manufacturer's product data sheets. It does not address differences that may be adopted in any State and/or local ordinances. Discussions will revolve around the differences among the application of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, 13D, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes, and 13R, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Residential Occupancies up to and Including Four Stories in Height, and International Residential Code (IRC) P2904 that can be used as models in their own communities.
The students will examine sample plans in order to identify the technical components of residential sprinkler systems and to identify the sprinkler type and its associated Sprinkler Identification Number (SIN). Sample plans and manufacturer's product literature will be used to evaluate sprinkler locations, to verify calculations of sprinkler flow, to determine if the correct number of sprinklers is accounted for, and to calculate the minimum pressure suggested by the manufacturer's specifications.
This course is designed to train Incident Commander Type 5(ICT5)and Firefighter Type 1(FFT1)to identify environmental factors and indicators of hazardous fire conditions, and how to use these indicators when implementing the Risk Management Process.
The class fees for this class are being covered by a grant if your department serves a population under 10,000. If you fail to attend the class or cancel after 4 weeks from the start of the class, you or your sponsoring department may be billed the full tuition of the class.
This course is designed to meet the training needs of the Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4). The six instructional units include Foundation Skills; Intelligence Gathering and Documentation; Size Up the Incident; Develop a Plan of Action; Post-fire Activities; Evaluating Incident Objectives and Manage the Incident.
The class fees for this class are being covered by a grant if your department serves a population under 10,000. If you fail to attend the class or cancel after 4 weeks from the start of the class, you or your sponsoring department may be billed the full tuition of the class.
This course introduces the roles and responsibilities of a firing boss (FIRB), common firing devices, and general firing operations and techniques. Although comprehensive in nature, the coursework is not a substitute for the dynamic fire environment.
The class fees for this class are being covered by a grant if your department serves a population under 10,000. If you fail to attend the class or cancel after 4 weeks from the start of the class, you or your sponsoring department may be billed the full tuition of the class.
This course provides an introduction to operational leadership, mobilization,arrival at an incident, risk management, entrapment avoidance, safety and tactics, off line duties, demobilization, and post-incident responsibilities as they relate to the single resource crew boss.
The class fees for this class are being covered by a grant if your department serves a population under 10,000. If you fail to attend the class or cancel after 4 weeks from the start of the class, you or your sponsoring department may be billed the full tuition of the class.
This is a skill course designed to produce student proficiency in the performance of the duties associated with engine boss, single resource (ENGB). Topics include engine and crew capabilities and limitations, information sources, fire size-up considerations, tactics, and wildland/urban interface.
The class fees for this class are being covered by a grant if your department serves a population under 10,000. If you fail to attend the class or cancel after 4 weeks from the start of the class, you or your sponsoring department may be billed the full tuition of the class.
This course is designed to meet the training needs of the incident commander type 3 (ICT3). The focus is on the lessons of leadership and command as they relate to the ICT3 position. It is presented in participative lecture format with multiple tactical decision games for students to practice new knowledge. The seven instructional units cover Foundation Skills, Situational Awareness, Command and Control, Managing the Incident, Transitional Activities, Post-Fire Activities and a Final Simulation.
The class fees for this class are being covered by a grant if your department serves a population under 10,000. If you fail to attend the class or cancel after 4 weeks from the start of the class, you or your sponsoring department may be billed the full tuition of the class.
This a 24-hour course designed to meet the training requirements outlined in the PMS 310-1, Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide and the position task books developed for the positions of task force leader and strike team leader. Examples and exercises in this package are specific to wildland fire suppression. If students are expected to perform in some other risk area, exercises and examples appropriate to the expected risk areas should be added.
The class fees for this class are being covered by a grant if your department serves a population under 10,000. If you fail to attend the class or cancel after 4 weeks from the start of the class, you or your sponsoring department may be billed the full tuition of the class.
This 20 hour course is designed to meet the training needs of an incident Medical Unit Leader, (MEDL), as outlined in the Wildland and Prescribed Fire Qualification System Guide, PMS 310-1, and the Position Task Book (PTB) developed for this position.
The class fees for this class are being covered by a grant if your department serves a population under 10,000. If you fail to attend the class or cancel after 4 weeks from the start of the class, you or your sponsoring department may be billed the full tuition of the class.
The OSFM Life Safety Code Program consists of 2 parts: OSFM Life Safety Code Core Program and the OSFM Life Safety Code Occupancy Programs. Both are designed to provide information on the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, 2015 edition to assist the Illinois Fire Service to build their professional knowledge and to develop a better understanding of the OSFM adopted code that serves as the state’s minimum fire safety standard and to assist in compliance with the Fire Investigation Act. Although not required, it is strongly recommended that the OSFM Life Safety Code Core Program is reviewed first.
The online on-demand OSFM Life Safety Code Programs should be used as a reference tool only. It is not an online course to complete, so the user will not receive a grade. Participants using the online on-demand resource will not receive an IFSI certificate of attendance. It is up to your organization’s training program to decide if CEUs are earned and documented when accessing the online reference. After enrolling in the online on-demand course, the online classroom can be entered during the 6-month open access to reference as many times as necessary.
The OSFM Life Safety Code content was developed by OSFM subject matter experts. If you have any questions specific to the content of the reference material please contact the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal.
Each of the online on-demand courses has Knowledge Checks. The purpose of Knowledge Checks is to give the user an idea of how well he or she understands the materials. The Knowledge Checks are ungraded and allow Learning Objectives to be self-assessed by each user.
The OSFM Life Safety Code Program consists of 2 parts: OSFM Life Safety Code Core Program and the OSFM Life Safety Code Occupancy Programs. Both are designed to provide information on the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, 2015 edition to assist the Illinois Fire Service to build their professional knowledge and to develop a better understanding of the OSFM adopted code that serves as the state’s minimum fire safety standard and to assist in compliance with the Fire Investigation Act. Although not required, it is strongly recommended that the OSFM Life Safety Code Core Program is reviewed first.
The online on-demand OSFM Life Safety Code Programs should be used as a reference tool only. It is not an online course to complete, so the user will not receive a grade. Participants using the online on-demand resource will not receive an IFSI certificate of attendance. It is up to your organization’s training program to decide if CEUs are earned and documented when accessing the online reference. After enrolling in the online on-demand course, the online classroom can be entered during the 6-month open access to reference as many times as necessary.
The OSFM Life Safety Code content was developed by OSFM subject matter experts. If you have any questions specific to the content of the reference material please contact the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal.
Each of the online on-demand courses has Knowledge Checks. The purpose of Knowledge Checks is to give the user an idea of how well he or she understands the materials. The Knowledge Checks are ungraded and allow Learning Objectives to be self-assessed by each user.
This 1-hour course should be taken by all first responders of all experience levels – fire, police, EMS, EMA, and CERT. This course covers the expanse of the opioid problem locally in Illinois and nationally. It introduces prevention programs that are available in Illinois and information on Narcan – how to obtain it, what it is, and how to administer it. Upon completion of this course, the student will have an increased awareness of the opioid problem and what they can do to help.
This course is designed for all ranks of fire service personnel who may respond to residential structure fires, in their area. This course covers in depth building construction, sizing up the incident, ventilation techniques, search and rescue as well as fire control tactics. The class will primarily be conducted in the classroom setting and will include a few tabletop exercises and drills. Upon successful completion of this course the student will have gained basic knowledge and skills for operating at incidents in residential structures.
This Online course provides basics for understanding resiliency in the fire service.
The modules in this course cover post-traumatic stress disorder, the nervous systems response, mental health, and suicide.
Taught by subject matter experts, it provides an overview of the various stressors within the fire service and the tools to change the culture surrounding resilience.
This four-hour course is designed to provide training for fire officers of any rank on how to provide support for first responders. Leadership is complex, rewarding, and challenging as you are always on, and many people look to you to make the right move every time. The goal of this course is to provide fire officers with the tools to assist with leading and be able to respond to stressful situations whether it be on the job or off the job. Developed from cutting-edge science, students will see how stress can affect their decisions and their mental health. We also look at how our mental health can improve by understanding what is occurring within ourselves and how we can work to be more resilient.
This interactive class will have you reflecting on how you lead, how at times we do not always get it right, and how we carry the weight of those decisions, at times, longer than we probably should. Students will be given scenarios so they can respond in their roles as leaders, share their thoughts, and reflect on them with more tools in their toolbox going forward. 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.
This course runs in conjunction with Responder Intervention Team Rescue Technician and provides firefighters with the necessary advanced skills to effectively operate as command of a responder intervention team. Responder Intervention Team Chief combines classroom lecture, firefighter fatality case studies, command drills, and hands-on scenario-based training involving a firefighter MAYDAY. Skills are practiced and honed under live fire conditions that will challenge each student mentally and physically. This course goes beyond any traditional class by experiencing command operations in the fire suppression environment, preparing the officer for our worst-case scenario.
This Cornerstone version introduces students to the basics of Responder Intervention Team (RIT) operations and tactical and strategic operations related to downed firefighters. Discussion covers firefighter case studies, RIT tools, staging, RASP, size up, accountability, equipment demonstrations, victim extrication/disentanglement, and managing the "Mayday." Preventive or proactive methods of avoiding situations where fire fighters are trapped are highlighted. Practical reactive techniques or mitigation of a downed responder are demonstrated and practiced as a part of this "hands on" class. 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
Formally Rit under Fire, this course provides firefighters with the necessary advance skills to effectively operate as a member of a responder intervention team. Responder Intervention Team Rescue Technician combines classroom lecture, firefighter fatality case studies, drag and carries, breaching, heavy lifting with hydraulic and pneumatic tools, cutting utilizing a variety of torches, and hands-on scenario based training involving a firefighter mayday. Skills are practiced and honed under live fire conditions that will challenge each student mental and physically. This course goes beyond any traditional class by utilizing rescue tools and techniques in the fire suppression environment. This physically intense course meets and exceeds NFPA 1407, preparing the responder for our worst-case scenario.
The School Safety and Violent Event Incident Management (SSAVEIM) course is a 8-hour performance level direct delivery course designed to improve incident management and response integration of school personnel and emergency responders (law enforcement, fire, EMS) to violent events in schools. The course provides a validated framework for use by school personnel, law enforcement, fire, and EMS to manage violent event response to improve time to threat neutralization, medical intervention, survivability of victims, and reunification of students with parents.
Association:
If you are affiliated with an emergency responder organization such as a fire, police, EMS, or EMA agency, it is mandatory to enroll in BOTH the Active Shooter Incident Management (ASIM) and the School Safety and Violent Event Incident Management (SSAVEIM) courses. Attending both courses will ensure comprehensive training for your profession.
If a school system employs you, please enroll in the School Safety and Violent Event Incident Management (SSAVEIM) course ONLY. This course is specifically tailored to equip school personnel with the necessary knowledge and skills to manage violent events in schools and reunify children with the appropriate guardians. The ASIM program is not suitable for your specific profession. However, the SSAVEIM program will provide you with a brief introduction to the relevant concepts.
Focus:
This course emphasizes incident management principles, including command, coordination, communication, collaboration, and resource management, essential for effectively managing violent events such as active shooter incidents in schools.
Important Note:
To ensure a balanced representation of first responder disciplines, we do not publicly list classes on our website. Instead, class scheduling and registration are closely coordinated with the local jurisdiction that requests the training.
Please contact Dave Saitta, our NIMS/ICS Program Manager, to set up a class in your jurisdiction.
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
This 1-16 hour course is designed for the firefighter with more than one year of experience; however, students of all experience levels are encouraged to attend. The material will give students a basic understanding of Thermal Imaging Cameras. Students will become familiar with the thermal imaging camera application and operations, including departmental SOGs for camera usage. The class includes how a thermal camera operates, situations where a camera can assist the firefighter, plus situations where a camera may not be reliable. The course can be tailored to your departments needs to include only a lecture/overview, or lecture with drills. NOTE: Protective Clothing Required -- Participants must furnish approved helmet, turn out gear, eye protection, gloves, SCBA and boots for this class if a live fire or smoke drill is arranged as a component. This course is delivered at local fire departments
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 shallow, non-intersecting trench rescue. The Trench Rescue Operations course has been designed in accordance with NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Professional Qualifications. This course pertains to trench rescues involving injured or entrapped persons. The class covers the federal and state regulations, use of specialized equipment for atmospheric monitoring, emergency shoring systems, victim excavation, and employment of rescuer constructed retrieval systems. Special emphasis will be given to rescuer safety and scene evolutions involving various trench rescue problems. Written and practical skills testing will be conducted at the completion of the course.
NOTE:
Fire department members that intend to seek Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) certification in Trench Operations, may require completion of other certification requirements or courses (eg. Technical Rescue Awareness, Hazardous Materials Awareness/Operations, NIMS etc.) prior to submission of OSFM paper work. Please refer to the OSFM site or contact OSFM directly for specific details and information.
This course provides basic hands-on training for fire and rescue personnel in vehicle stabilization. Emphasis is placed on proper choice, placement and use of cribbing, buttress system and marrying vehicles together.
The ventilation class includes the reasons for, and advantages and disadvantages of the different types of ventilation as they relate to building construction and procedures. Students will review fire behavior as it relates to building construction and its relationship with fuel load, occupancy type and its place in the list of tactical priorities. From jalousie to double hung, from gambrel to four – twelve pitch, the window types and roof styles have an affect on the ventilation operation. The recognition of signs and methods of preventing potential backdrafts and flashovers is an important part of the class. Advantages and disadvantages of vertical, horizontal and forced ventilation are discussed and practiced when possible at the local level.